Background: In this study we set out to examine changes in magnesium concentration in serum and tissues of rat and the direction of its shifts in tissue concentration in the course of experimental pancreatitis.
Material/methods: The experiment was performed on 200 male Wistar rats, weight 250-350 g, according to Heinkel and Aho's method. Four groups of rats were randomly selected: Z-healthy (20), K1-first control (60), K2-second control (60), D-experimental (60). In Group D acute pancreatitis was induced by injection under anesthesia; in Group K2, physiological fluid was injected; in Group K1, only the needle was inserted. At the 6th, 12th, 24th and 48th experimental hours blood and some organs were collected from 15 animals in each group.
Results: The magnesium level in serum and in the organs was within the normal range for the K1 rats, not significantly different from controls. The lowest serum and kidney concentrations of magnesium were observed after 6 and 12 hours in groups K2 and D. The lowest magnesium concentration in pancreas was observed after 12 and 24 hours in the same two groups. The highest magnesium concentration in liver was detected in the K2 and D animals after 6 and 12 hours, and in heart after 12 hours. Similar changes in the serum glucose level were observed in groups K2 and D.
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that in the course of experimental acute pancreatitis there is a decreased magnesium concentration in blood serum, pancreas and kidney.