13-WEEK ORAL TOXICITY STUDY OF MAGNESIUM-CHLORIDE IN B6C3F(1) MICE

Magnesium chloride (MgCl2.6H(2)O) was administered at dietary levels o f 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5 or 5% to groups of 10 male and 10 f emale B6C3F(1) mice for 13 weeks. In both sexes of the 5% treatment gr oup a decrease in body weight was observed. While clinical signs and h ematological or blood biochemistry parameters showed no treatment-rela ted effects, histopathologically, vacuolation of kidney tubular cells was apparent in males of the 2.5 and 5% concentration groups. Thus, th e study demonstrated that diet containing over 2.5% MgCl2.6H(2)O exert s toxic effects in B6C3F(1) mice. We therefore conclude that a 2.5% le vel of MgCl2.6H(2)O in the diet is the minimal toxic dose.