Effect of dietary magnesium supplementation on intralymphocytic free calcium and magnesium in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of dietary magnesium (Mg) supplementation on intralymphocytic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) were examined in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) at the age of 10 weeks. After 40 day Mg supplementation (0.8% Mg in the diet), systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower in Mg supplemented group (Mg group) than the control group (0.2% Mg). [Ca2+]i was significantly lower and [Mg2+]i was significantly higher in Mg group than in the control group. Further, [Ca2+]i was positively and [Mg2+]i was negatively correlated with SBP. These results suggest that dietary Mg supplementation modifies [Ca2+]i and [Mg2+]i, and modulates the development of hypertension.