Biochemistry and physiology of magnesium

Staphylococcus-Induced Bacteriospermia In Vitro: Consequences on the Bovine Spermatozoa Quality, Extracellular Calcium and Magnesium Content

Simple Summary

Livestock semen is often contaminated by opportunistic bacterial pathogens originating from an intrinsic environment of the urogenital tract. Particularly, species classified in the Staphylococcus genus are predominantly represented in bovine ejaculates. Until recently, it was believed that these are a negligible part of the bovine ejaculate; however, recent studies revealed their potentially adverse effects on the sperm quality. Hereby, we simulated staphylococcal infection of bovine semen under laboratory conditions and analyzed its consequences on the sperm quality.

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of bovine ejaculates intended for artificial insemination may be reflected in a significant economic loss due to unsuccessful fertilization as well as health issues of the recipients. The Staphylococcus genus represents a large part of bacteriocenosis of bovine ejaculates. Therefore, this study aims to get a closer look on the effects of Staphylococcus-induced bacteriospermia under in vitro conditions on bovine sperm quality. Prior to inducing bacteriospermia, spermatozoa were separated from each ejaculate using Percoll^® Plus gradient medium in order to limit the effects only to the selected bacterial species. Seven Staphylococcus species previously isolated from bovine semen were used for our experiments at a turbidity of 0.5 McFarland (equivalent to 1.5 × 10⁸ colony-forming units per mL). The contaminated semen samples were incubated at 37 °C and at times of 0, 2, and 4 h, motility, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, sperm DNA fragmentation, and magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) extracellular concentration were analyzed and compared with the control group (uncontaminated). The results showed no significant changes at the initial measurement. However, significant adverse effects were observed after 2 h and 4 h of incubation. Most notably, the presence of S. aureus, S. warneri, S. kloosii, and S. cohnii caused a significantly increased ROS production, leading to sperm DNA fragmentation, changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and a decreased sperm motility. Furthermore, the presence of Staphylococcus species led to lower extracellular concentrations of Mg and Ca. In conclusion, the overgrowth of Staphylococcus bacteria in bovine semen may contribute to oxidative stress resulting in sperm DNA fragmentation, altered mitochondrial membrane potential, and diminished sperm motility.

Phytic acid-induced metabolic changes in the rat

Phytic acid (PA) is present in considerable amounts in the seeds of many plant species consumed by animals. Little is known about its influence on metabolic processes. In the performed experiment the effect of rats feeding a standard laboratory diet (Murigran) with increasing supplements of PA on some hormones and biochemical parameters was tested. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of eight animals each. In the first group (control) rats were fed a diet without any supplement whereas the groups II-V received food with added PA: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 1%. After 20 days animals were decapitated, blood serum, liver and tight muscles were sampled. In rats fed a diet enriched in PA the concentration of thyroid hormones was diminished. Simultaneously, T(3)/T(4) ratio was slightly reduced. These changes were accompanied by a rise in blood glucose level and an augmentation in liver and muscle glycogen stores and were found in spite of unchanged blood insulin. Consumption of food with increased amounts of PA resulted in a substantial reduction of liver triglyceride content, but serum triglycerides were not affected. In rats from groups II and III serum free-fatty acids concentration was reduced. However, in animals receiving highest PA supplement this effect was not observed. Serum calcium and magnesium were not affected by PA. Serum iron was significantly reduced, but only in rats on the highest supplement of the tested compound. Results obtained in this experiment clearly indicate that the PA is able to induce hormonal and metabolic changes in animals. These changes seem to result not only from reduced bioavailability of minerals but also from interactions of PA with nutrients and enzymes in the liver.

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome and magnesium deficiency

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In 20%-30% of cholecystectomised patients a biliary syndrome (called Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome: PCES) reappears after some weeks or months. Its etiology, in certain cases, is an anatomic one: (choledochal lithiasis or stricture, obstructive papillitis, pancreatic duct stenosis), but there are many cases in which all organic causes are excluded.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between these functional disturbances and magnesium (Mg) deficiency (MD). We analysed 52 patients with PCES and MD, in which organic lesions of the remaining bile ducts were excluded by imaging and endoscopic methods.

RESULTS

MD was confirmed by serum and erythrocytic low Mg levels. 82% of patients were women. Supplemental therapy was provided with Tiomag (Mg gluconate and methionine), vitamin B6 and Ca lactate for 6 weeks or more. In 50 patients, PCES symptomatology disappeared after this treatment. In 14 cases some symptoms reappeared after a few weeks-months, but after repetition of the same therapy they completely disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the dependence of PCES functional manifestations on MD, especially the recurrence of symptoms, which again subsided after Tiomag therapy was reinstituted.

The impact of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma on semen parameters in men

To investigate the impact of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma on semen parameters, 107 fertile and 103 subfertile males provided a standardized blood and semen specimen. Total calcium and magnesium concentrations were determined with colorimetric end point assay procedures. Zinc and copper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines (1992). The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma were not different between the subfertile and fertile group. Weak correlations were demonstrated between blood plasma zinc concentrations and sperm count (rs = 0.18), sperm motility (rs = 0.15), and abnormal sperm morphology (rs = 0.13). Zinc and magnesium concentrations in seminal plasma correlated weakly with sperm count (rs = 0.17 and rs = 0.16, respectively), and copper concentrations in blood plasma with motility (rs = 0.25). Strong correlations were found between calcium, magnesium, and zinc in seminal plasma. Although calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper play an essential role in spermatogenesis and fertility, the determination of these elements in blood and seminal plasma does not discriminate on the basis of fertility in this group of men.

Magnesium in disease: a review with special emphasis on the serum ionized magnesium

This review deals with the six main clinical situations related to magnesium or one of its fractions, including ionized magnesium: renal disease, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, and the administration of therapeutic drugs. Issues addressed are the physiological role of magnesium, eventual changes in its levels, and how these best can be monitored. In renal disease mostly moderate hypermagnesemia is seen; measuring ionized magnesium offers minimal advantage. In hypertension magnesium might be lowered but its measurement does not seem relevant. In the prediction of severe pre-eclampsia, elevated ionized magnesium concentration may play a role, but no unequivocal picture emerges. Low magnesium in blood may be cause for, or consequence of, diabetes mellitus. No special fraction clearly indicates magnesium deficiency leading to insulin resistance. Cardiac diseases are related to diminished magnesium levels. During myocardial infarction, serum magnesium drops. Total magnesium concentration in cardiac cells can be predicted from levels in sublingual or skeletal muscle cells. Most therapeutic drugs (diuretics, chemotherapeutics, immunosuppressive agents, antibiotics) cause hypomagnesemia due to increased urinary loss. It is concluded that most of the clinical situations studied show hypomagnesemia due to renal loss, with exception of renal disease. Keeping in mind that only 1% of the total body magnesium pool is extracellular, no simple measurement of the real intracellular situation has emerged; measuring ionized magnesium in serum has little added value at present.

Angiotensin II and vasopressin modulate intracellular free magnesium in vascular smooth muscle cells through Na+-dependent protein kinase C pathways

Vasoactive peptides mobilize cytosolic free Mg2+ in vascular smooth muscle cells. It is unknown whether angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin, potent vasoconstrictor agents, influence intracellular Mg2+. The effects of angiotensin II and vasopressin on intracellular free Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]i) were therefore investigated in primary cultured unpassaged vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from mesenteric arteries of Wistar Kyoto rats, and in an established cell line of rat thoracic aorta cells (A10 cells). Underlying mechanisms of agonist-stimulated [Mg2+]i changes were assessed in A10 cells by pharmacologically manipulating phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and the Na+/H+ exchanger. In addition, the dependence of [Mg2+]i on intracellular Ca2+ was determined. [Mg2+]i was measured in single cells by fluorescent digital imaging using mag-fura-2/AM. Basal [Mg2+]i levels in Wistar Kyoto rat and A10 cells were 0.62 +/- 0.02 mmol/liter and 0.58 +/- 0.01 mmol/liter, respectively. Angiotensin II and vasopressin induced a dose-dependent biphasic [Mg2+]i response where [Mg2+]i increased rapidly and transiently to a peak level and then declined to subbasal levels, which were sustained. Preexposure of cells to neomycin, a nonspecific phospholipase C inhibitor, U-73122, a selective phospholipase C inhibitor, calphostin C, a selective protein kinase C inhibitor, and 5-(N, N-hexamethylene)amiloride, a selective Na+/H+ exchange blocker, attenuated angiotensin II- and vasopressin-induced [Mg2+]i responses in a concentration-dependent manner. Removal of extracellular Na+ completely inhibited agonist-elicited [Mg2+]i transients. To determine whether intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) influences agonist-induced [Mg2+]i changes, thapsigargin, a selective sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, was used to deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores. In thapsigargin-pretreated cells, angiotensin II-elicited [Ca2+]i responses were significantly attenuated, whereas agonist-induced [Mg2+]i responses were unchanged. These data demonstrate that in primary cultured VSMC and in an established VSMC line, angiotensin II and vasopressin modulate [Mg2+]i through receptor-mediated pathways, which are [Ca2+]i-independent but which involve phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and the Na+/H+ exchanger. These pathways are linked to a Na+-dependent Mg2+ transporter, which facilitates transmembrane Mg2+ transport.

Magnesium status in healthy free-living elderly Norwegians

OBJECTIVE

Magnesium (Mg) status has previously not been properly assessed among healthy elderly subjects.

METHODS

Thirty-six healthy elderly subjects participated. Their Mg status was assessed by serum Mg, basal urinary Mg output, and with a Mg loading test (30 mmol infused during 8 hours; urine sampled 24 hours), and compared with 53 healthy younger subjects. Their dietary intake was assessed by a quantified food frequency questionnaire. Fourteen of the subjects received 300 mmol Mg to study the effect on Mg status.

RESULTS

With the exception of vitamin D in women, average energy and nutrient intakes were adequate. All subjects had serum Mg levels within the reference value of the laboratory. Basal urinary Mg excretion was 3.3 +/- 1.1 mmol/day and 24-hour Mg retention after a Mg load was 28 +/- 16% compared to 6 +/- 11% in younger controls, suggesting Mg deficiency in the elderly. In the 14 subjects who received oral Mg supplementation there was a statistically significant increase in basal urinary Mg excretion and creatinine clearance, and decreases in Mg retention, serum Mg and serum creatinine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that a significant subclinical Mg deficit, not detected by serum Mg, was present in many of these healthy elderly subjects. Mg supplementation improved Mg status and renal function.

Characterization of a new ion selective electrode for ionized magnesium in whole blood, plasma, serum, and aqueous samples

Results from a novel ion selective electrode (ISE) for ionized magnesium (Mg2+) correlate well with atomic absorption spectroscopy on aqueous solutions containing from 0.1-3.0 mmol MgCl2/L. Day to day precision (coefficient of variation) of the electrode on protein-based controls is < 4%; aqueous-based controls < 6%. The new ISE is selective for Mg2+ with a selectivity constant for Ca2+ (KMgCa) of 8 x 10(-2). Adding pathophysiologic concentrations of Cd2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, K+, Na+, or Zn2+ to serum and aqueous solutions gave negligible to minimal changes in measured Mg2+. Ligand binding studies in aqueous solution indicate that pathophysiologic concentrations of different anions (e.g. heparin, lactate, bicarbonate, phosphate, acetate and sulfate) bind to Mg2+, effectively reducing its concentration in solution. Likewise, silicon (as either found in Vacuutainer tubes or as chlorosilane) failed to exert any significant effect on measured Mg2+. Addition of Intralipid (up to 500 mg/dL) gave negligible to minimal changes in Mg2+. Mg2+ measurements on whole blood, plasma, and serum for a given human subject's samples are virtually identical, at least within the reference range for Mg2+. Typically, Mg2+ is 71% of TMg, but varies from subject to subject; i.e. Mg2+ cannot be predicted from TMg. Clinical studies revealed that the Mg2+/TMg ratio could be remarkably consistent in sequential samples (e.g., throughout the course of coronary bypass surgery) taken from one patient, but that this ratio could differ dramatically from the ratio in sequential samples taken from another. Mg2+ is held within a narrow range (0.53-0.67 mmol/L) in normal, healthy subjects when compared to TMg (0.70-0.96 mmol/L).

Predictive inability of cord zinc, magnesium and copper levels on the development of benign hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn

Cord serum concentrations of zinc, magnesium and copper were determined in 90 healthy term infants. The infants were divided by peak bilirubin values into an icteric group (peak bilirubin > 136 mumol/l) (n = 21) and a control group (peak bilirubin < or = 136 mumol/) (n = 69). Mean cord serum zinc, magnesium and copper concentrations in the icteric group did not differ from those of the control group. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between peak serum bilirubin concentrations and cord serum concentrations of these three elements. We conclude that cord serum concentrations of zinc, magnesium or copper are not useful in predicting which neonates will develop hyperbilirubinemia.

Oral magnesium supplementation improves metabolic variables and muscle strength in alcoholics

Magnesium deficiency is common among chronic alcoholics, but the knowledge of oral magnesium supplementation to this group is limited. We, therefore, randomized 49 chronic alcoholics, moderate to heavy drinkers for at least 10 years to receive oral magnesium or placebo treatment for 6 weeks according to a double-blind protocol. Effects on metabolic variables and muscle strength were analyzed. Significant reduction of aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) were seen after magnesium, whereas no change was observed with placebo. Bilirubin decreased in both groups. Serum Na, Ca, and P increased significantly during magnesium therapy compared with no statistically significant change in the placebo group. Serum K and Mg increased slightly after magnesium supplementation and decreased in the placebo group, resulting in a significant difference between the two groups at the end of the study. Muscle strength increased significantly during magnesium treatment, contrasting to no change with placebo. Blood pressure, heart rate, hematological variables, serum lipids (cholesterol, HDL, TG), glucose tolerance, and creatinine were unchanged in the two groups after treatment. Alcohol consumption was similar before and during the trial and does not explain the differences between the two groups The results shows that short-term oral magnesium therapy may improve liver cell function, electrolyte status, and muscle strength in chronic alcoholics.

Magnesium deficiency diagnosed by an intravenous loading test

Magnesium deficiency is common but difficult to diagnose and to assess in clinical practice. The use of a magnesium loading test was therefore evaluated to diagnose magnesium deficiency in 661 hospitalized patients with medical conditions assumed to interfere with magnesium uptake and excretion. Thirty millimoles of magnesium sulphate were administered intravenously during 8 h as a loading test and related to the urinary excretion in the following 24 h. A group of 30 patients without any known predisposition for magnesium deficiency and a group of 27 healthy volunteers served as controls. The mean (with 95% confidence interval) magnesium retention was 4 (-2-10)% in the control group of patients and 3 (-2-8)% in healthy subjects. A significantly higher retention was observed in all the groups of the patients: atrial fibrillation 18 (11-25)%, other arrhythmias 18 (11-24)%, hypertension 27 (20-33)%, coronary artery disease 25 (20-30)%, congestive heart failure 31 (26-37)%, cerebrovascular events 38 (24-51)%, gastrointestinal disorders 22 (14-29)%, diabetes mellitus 16 (9-22)%, and alcoholics 33 (29-36)%. The percentage of patients with a retention greater than mean + 2 SD of the two control groups varied between 22% and 54% among the different patient groups. The mean serum magnesium among the patient groups was similar to the control group of patients, except for the alcoholics, hypertensives and young healthy controls, who had significantly reduced levels. Magnesium retention was significantly correlated to age and renal function, and among the alcoholics negatively correlated to serum magnesium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Magnesium supplementation as an adjuvant to synthetic calcium channel antagonists in the treatment of hypertension

Magnesium (Mg2+) has antagonistic properties to calcium (Ca2+) and has been termed the physiologic Ca2+ blocker. Synthetic Ca2+ channel blockers are extensively used as anti-hypertensive agents. It is hypothesised that when administered in combination synthetic Ca2+ channel blockers and Mg are synergistic in the treatment of hypertension.

Evaluation of magnesium status in Crohn's disease as assessed by intracellular analysis and intravenous magnesium infusion

The magnesium status was evaluated in 30 subjects with Crohn's disease and in 30 controls. Subjects with Crohn's disease had lower concentrations of magnesium in muscle biopsy specimens (p less than 0.001), mononuclear cells (p less than 0.05), and in urine collected during 24 h (p less than 0.001) as compared with controls. After intravenous infusion of 60 mmol magnesium and 80 mmol potassium to 17 subjects with Crohn's disease a significant increase in concentrations of magnesium in muscle specimens (p less than 0.05), mononuclear cells (p less than 0.01), and plasma (p less than 0.01) was noted. The retention of intravenously infused magnesium was significantly higher in subjects with Crohn's disease than in 11 healthy controls (p less than 0.001) and was inversely correlated with the content of magnesium in muscle specimens (r = -0.52; p less than 0.05). The implication of these findings is that analysis of magnesium in muscle specimens and estimation of magnesium retention during an intravenous magnesium infusion are useful to confirm a suspected magnesium deficiency.

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of magnesium in epileptic children

In order to discriminate between conflicting reports in the literature, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid magnesium levels from epileptic children were compared with those of control children. To exclude the possibility of methodological artifacts, two methods for Mg determination were used: atomic absorption spectrophotometry and a colorimetric procedure. By both methods a significantly decreased concentration of Mg in plasma was found in epileptics. A positive correlation of the hypomagnesemia with the severity of epilepsy was found: the more severe the epilepsy, the lower was the plasma Mg. A significant increase of Mg concentration in CSF of epileptics was found. The most likely origin of Mg in CSF in epilepsy is the CNS tissue from which Mg is released. It is suggested that these alterations of Mg concentrations in plasma and CSF originate from a functional impairment of the cell membranes which might occur in epilepsy.

Magnesium deficiency after ileal resections for Crohn's disease

The magnesium status of the body was studied in 87 patients with various lengths of small-bowel resections for Crohn's disease. The urinary magnesium excretion decreased with increasing resection length, and so did the concentration of magnesium in muscle. Muscular fatigue, an early symptom of magnesium deficiency, was positively correlated to a pathologically low concentration of muscle magnesium. It was concluded that clinically important magnesium deficiency, which was not detected by determination of serum magnesium, occurred in patients with ileal resections exceeding 75 cm.

Effects of a low-fat diet on mineral absorption in small-bowel disease

The absorption of calcium, magnesium, and zinc was studied by the metabolic balance technique at two fat intake levels in nine patients with fat malabsorption. The net absorption of all three minerals was significantly higher from the 40-g fat diet than from the 100-g fat diet. The data indicate that the lower fat content was the main reason for the increased mineral absorption, although the low-fat diet contained larger amounts of the minerals studied than did the high-fat diet.

Absorption of magnesium chloride solution in small bowel disease

The absorption of a magnesium chloride solution has been observed by balance studies in three patients with ileal resections and in one patient with idiopathic steatorrhoea and biliary cirrhosis. All patients were depleted of magnesium because of malabsorption. The mean net absorption of magnesium increased to 4.5, 4.9, 5.8 and 16.4 mmol magnesium per day, when a supply of 25 mmol magnesium was given. The result was encouraging with positive magnesium balances in all patients.

Disorders of calcium and magnesium homeostasis

The components of calcium and magnesium balance and the factors responsible for the maintenance of the serum concentration of these cations are reviewed. Within this framework, the causes and treatment of disturbances of the serum concentration are discussed. Hypercalcemia is usually a reflection of increased bone resorption and/or gut absorption with the kidney playing a secondary role. Hypocalcemia is usually due to either a disturbance in the parathyroid hormone-adenylate cyclase system or a disturbance in vitamin D metabolism. As vitamin D is required for expression of the action of PTH at bone and as PTH is a prime regulator of vitamin D metabolism, the absence of either component results in important disturbances in calcium balance. In contrast to calcium homeostasis, the kidney plays a major role in the determination and regulation of serum magnesium. The major causes of hypermagnesemia therefore are associated with loss of renal function, and hypomagnesemia is frequently due to renal magnesium wasting.

X-ray diffraction patterns in human dentin, enamel and synthetic apatites related to Zn concentration

The crystallization of human dentin and enamel containing different concentrations of Zn was studied using X-ray diffraction analysis. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Sr and Pb in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of F was assayed with a combination fluoride electrode. The increase of the Zn concentration (microgram/g) from 150 to 572 in dentin was found to intensify apatite reflections indicating changes parallel to c-axis. A slight increase parallel to a-axis (or better crystallization) of lattices was demonstrated in both dentin and enamel. The increase of Zn concentration from 164 microgram/g to 692 microgram/g in enamel weakened 002 and 112 reflections. The effect of Zn on the crystallinity of synthetic apatite prepared at 37 degrees C was of the same kind as its effect on the dentin.

Inhibition and stimulation of respiration-linked Mg2+ efflux in rat heart mitochondria

Respiration-driven Mg2+ efflux from rat heart mitochondria has been studied in different conditions. Almost total release of Mg2+ from the mitochondria occurs upon addition of a proton/bivalent cation exchanger, A23187. The content of Mg2+ remaining in mitochondria after A23187 treatment is the same if part of the mitochondrial Mg2+ has already been extruded through the energy-linked mechanism. Some inhibition of Mg2+ efflux is observed in the presence of high concentrations of La3+ (100 micro M). A proton/monovalent cation exchanger, nigericin, completely prevents Mg2+ efflux, whereas a cation conductor, valinomycin, considerably stimulates it. The results indicate that the main part of mitochondrial Mg2+ is present in the membrane-bounded compartment, probably in the matrix space. The driving force of the Mg2+ efflux appears to be the proton gradient (deltapH) created by mitochondrial respiration.