Effect of Oral Magnesium treatment on Haematological, Biochemical profile and Liver Glycogen content in Rats

Abstract

Oral magnesium supplementation has been advocated for its therapeutic and glucose regulatory effects. This study evaluated the haematology, serum biochemical profile and liver glycogen content in male Wistar rats orally treated with magnesium. Two studies were carried out using 50 male rats randomly divided into 2 groups of 25 rats each. Each study group was divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each as follows: Group 1 served as control, groups 2,3,4 and 5 received magnesium orally at 50mg/kg,100mg/kg,250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively for 28 days. Results showed no significant difference after 28 days in PCV, haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, total protein, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), AST, ALT and ALP levels while a significant increase (P<0.05) in platelet count, albumin level and albumin/globulin ratio was observed in magnesium treated animals at all doses used compared to controls. Globulin levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in groups 2, 4 and 5 while fibrinogen levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared to controls. HDL levels were significantly increased in the 50mg/kg magnesium treated rats compared to control. Liver glycogen content was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the 100mg/kg (45.9%) and 250mg/kg (47.7%) magnesium treated rats.This study shows that oral administration of magnesium at 50,100,250 and 500mg/kg in normoglycemic rats is non-toxic, stimulates albumin, fibrinogen and platelet production and does not affect the lipid profile. At doses of 100mg/kg and 250mg/kg, oral magnesium administration may likely increase storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver.