Effect of alloxan-induced diabetes on magnesium metabolism in rabbits

Abstract

In six rabbits external balance studies for magnesium were performed for 11 days after diabetes had been induced by the injection of alloxan. The only significant change observed was a decrease in mean body weight. The exchangeable magnesium content, determined with Mg²⁸, also showed a significant decrease. In another group of 16 rabbits the relative radioactivity of Mg²⁸ in muscle, skin, appendix, lung, liver, heart, kidney and bone was not altered by the administration of alloxan to half the group. The magnesium content of the skin was decreased, and that of the bone increased. Alloxan diabetes is associated with changes in the dynamics of magnesium metabolism which may not be demonstrable by the external balance technique.