The Hypomagnesemia of Vitamin D Administration.

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Abstract
Summary The hypomagnesemia consequent to administration of large doses of vit D2 to rats was studied. Two groups of animals were pair-fed a magnesium-deficient diet, and one was then given injections of vit D2. Hypomagnesemia resulted in the vit D2-treated group. During the period of vitamin administration there was no significant difference between the urinary or fecal magnesium excretion of the 2 groups. Nor were the differences significant between the levels of magnesium in the total carcass and muscle. The level of serum proteins also was not different in the 2 groups. It is suggested that the hypomagnesemia is due to a redistribution of magnesium from the extracellular phase to some other depot, which may well be bone. One mechanism might involve a reduced binding of magnesium by serum proteins due to some specific effect of vit D2 (or perhaps to the resultant hypercalcemia). An alternative hypothesis is that vit D2 has some other specific influence that promotes a deposition of magnesium in bone or some other depot.