Mechanisms of action of the anti-atherogenic effect of magnesium: lessons from a mouse model

Magnesium (Mg) fortification of drinking water succeeded in inhibition of a therogenesis development in a transgenic model of atherosclerosisprone mice fed a high-cholesterol content diet. In order to delineate possible mechan isms of action of the anti-atherogenic effect of Mg, the involvement of LDL oxidation was studied. We determined the susceptibility of LDL to Cu+2 oxi dation, anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels, and liver content of retinol and retinyl-palmitate. In order to study another possible mechanism we tested platelets interaction with extracellular matrix in both male and female mic e with or without Mg fortification of drinking water. No difference was fou nd in susceptibility of LDL to undergo oxidation. Female mice that received Mg had decreased anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels compared with control f emale mice, while there was no significant difference among male groups. On the other hand, only in the male group with Mg was a higher content of ret inol and retinyl-palmitate found in the livers. Platelets coverage area on extracellular matrix Was similar between groups. These results suggest that Mg might affect LDL oxidation, and thus atherogenesis.