Because serum magnesium does not reflect intracellular magnesium, the latter making up more than 99% of total body magnesium, most cases of magnesium deficiency are undiagnosed. Furthermore, because of chronic diseases, medications, decreases in food crop magnesium contents, and the availability of refined and processed foods, the vast majority of people in modern societies are at risk for magnesium deficiency. Certain individuals will need to supplement with magnesium in order to prevent suboptimal magnesium deficiency, especially if trying to obtain an optimal magnesium status to prevent chronic disease. Subclinical magnesium deficiency increases the risk of numerous types of cardiovascular disease, costs nations around the world an incalculable amount of healthcare costs and suffering, and should be considered a public health crisis. That an easy, cost-effective strategy exists to prevent and treat subclinical magnesium deficiency should provide an urgent call to action.
Regeneration of rat liver is maximal during the first day following partial hepatectomy. In order to obtain quantitative data on lactic dehydrogenase during this period of increased energy utilization, microdissection of lobules at 0, 15 and 30 hr after partial hepatectomy was carried out. Isolated samples from periportal, midzone and pericentral areas weighing 0.05-0.2 µg, dry weight, were analyzed for LDH and DNA. Sections were also stained for glycogen, fat and LDH. Qualitative results revealed depletion of glycogen from portal and midzonal regions, accumulation of fat in periportal zones, and heavier concentrations of LDH in peripheral areas of the regenerating lobule. Quantitative analysis showed LDH activity to be 40-50% higher in peripheral compared to central zones. Similar levels and relative concentrations of enzyme persisted throughout the 30-hr regenerative period investigated. DNA content increased by about 30% in the peripheral zone during the same period. The possible meaning of these findings is discussed.
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