Development and properties of malignant lymphoma induced by magnesium deficiency in rats

Abstract

Female wistar rats were fed on an Mg-deficient diet. After 8 to 10 weeks, the thymus glands were strongly degenerated and the number of lymphocytes was reduced, especially in the cortex. Thymus degeneration was associated with a decreased rate of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis and necrosis and phagocytosis of lymphocytes. The degeneration was normalized after feeding on an Mg-rich diet. After 10 or 11 weeks of Mg deficiency, local cell proliferations of immature lymphocytes with a great number of free ribosomes were found in some thymus glands. The local cell proliferations developed into infiltrating tumors without metastases. In lymphoma cells the Na+ and Ca2+ content, the turnover of cellular Na+ and K+, and the aerobic production of CO2 and lactate were increased.

A Review of the Action of Magnesium on Several Processes Involved in the Modulation of Hematopoiesis

“…Experimental studies showed that severe Mg 2+ deficiency leads to bone marrow changes that appear to occur at the same time as thymic changes, resulting in hyperplastic bone marrow, lymphoproliferative disorder, and leukemia [ 157 , 158 ]. In addition, dietary Mg 2+ deficiency resulted in thymic changes, impairing its function, triggering increased necrosis, apoptosis, and phagocytosis, and favoring a tumor microenvironment in rats [ 86 , 159 , 160 ]. In humans, it was observed that patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) have reduced levels of Mg 2+ in serum and hair; these changes appear to occur in part due to bone alterations resulting from the treatment of the disease [ 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 ].…”

Analysis of redox status and HDL subclasses in patients with lymphoma and the associations with FDG-PET/CT findings

“…In addition, the lower level of magnesium in the serum of our patients with lymphoma indicated that magnesium could be considered as a novel element in the pathogenesis of lymphoma. It is still not clear whether low magnesium is a consequence of lymphoma or contributes to the development of lymphoma ( 15 , 16 ). Further investigation is needed to understand the role of magnesium in preventing lymphoma and improving the outcomes of patients with lymphoma and concomitant magnesium deficiency.…”

“…In addition, magnesium deficiency upregulates proinflammatory cytokines and increases OS, which could contribute to the development of NHL ( 15 , 16 ).…”