Variations of fatty acid composition in plasma lipids and platelet aggregation in magnesium deficient rats

Abstract

Control and magnesium deficient rats were pair-fed for 8 days. Deficient animals had higher levels of plasma triglycerides and lower levels of plasma HDL cholesterol than control rats. As compared to controls, Mg deficient rats had decreased levels of stearic acid, increased levels of oleic acid and linoleic acid, and decreased levels of arachidonic acid in total plasma lipids. The fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters showed higher levels of oleic and linoleic acids, lower levels of arachidonic acid in deficient rats compared to control group. Deficient rats had higher levels of linoleic acid in plasma triglycerides and plasma phospholipids, and lower levels of arachidonic acid in plasma triglycerides whereas no significant variation occurred in the arachidonic content of phospholipids. Thrombin, at a final concentration of 0.25 NIH units per ml of platelet rich plasma, did not produce platelet aggregation in control rats while aggregation did occur in Mg deficient animals. These results indicate that significant alterations in fatty acid metabolism and platelet aggregation occur as a consequence of acute Mg deficiency in the rat.