Aging and Whole Body Electrolytes in Inbred A × C Rats

Magnesium homeostasis and aging

“…Aging represents a major risk factor for magnesium (Mg) deficit. Several alterations of Mg status have been identified in the elderly [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Total body Mg content tends to decrease with age, with bone being the main storage compartment of body Mg. Of the 21-28 g of Mg present in the adult human body, about 55-65% is in the mineral phase in the skeleton, 34-44% in the intracellular space, and only 1% in the extracellular fluid [14].…”

“…Intracellular free Mg (Mgi) has been found to be significantly decreased in healthy elderly (> 65 years old) compared to young controls (< 65 years old) [11,12]. We have specifically studied the behavior of intracellular Mg content with age, using 31 P-NMR spectroscopy, in peripheral red blood cells in healthy subjects and have shown a continuous age-dependent fall of intracellular Mg levels in healthy elderly subjects [12], without significant changes in total serum Mg MG DEFICIT AND AGING (figures 3,4). Thus, at least in conditions associated to a subclinical Mg deficit, the initial compartments that seems to be involved are the intracellular compartment and the ionized fraction of serum Mg, while a reduction of the bound and complexed total serum Mg (hypomagnesemia) may appear only at a later stage, in relation to more considerable and long-lasting Mg depletion.…”