THE EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM DEPRIVATION ON RENAL FUNCTION

Abstract

In expts. on the rat, prolonged deprivation of Mg produced pathologic degeneration in the kidneys which was similar, in certain respects, to that found in nephrosis. There was an increase in the volume of urine and in the excretion of protein, but no blood or casts were present in the urine. The blood serum proteins underwent a progressive diminution, finally reaching levels low enough to account for the edema which develops. The pathological changes included diffuse hemorrhage and engorgement of vessels of the medulla, round cell infiltration, degenerative changes in the tubules and calcification, particularly in the cortico-medullary region.