Seven Weeks Feeding of Magnesium and Fluoride Modifies Plasma Lipids of Hypercholesterolaemic Rats in Late Growth Phase

Recent findings indicated that a low fluoride supplement, especially with a low magnesium supplement in the basically low magnesium diet of genetically hypercholesterolaemic male RICO rats, may prevent the generation of atherosclerotic serum lipid profile. In the present study, several plasma lipids/lipoproteins were measured in the same strain of rats after a later growth phase. The control group C was fed an adequate diet with 45 per cent sucrose plus some cholesterol while the dietary fluoride was very low (1.1 mg F/kg of diet). In diet of group D, the Mg content was reduced to about one seventh of Mg of group C, i.e. to 122 mg/kg. Diet of group E was as that of group D with F content elevated to 17.2 mg/kg. Diet of group G was as that of group E with Mg content elevated to 220 mg/kg. The feeding period was terminated at 12 h deprivation of food and following exsanquination. Total plasma cholesterol in group C was 4.5 mmol/L. The central factor in causing reduction in growth rate and several plasma lipids and their lipoprotein subfractions appeared to be the magnesium deficiency. However, the greatest significant reductions in plasma cholesterol, plasma free cholesterol, plasma and VLDL esterified cholesterol and also HDL cholesterol, HDL esterified cholesterol and plasma triglycerides from those levels of the control group C were found in group G (fluoride and magnesium supplements). Supplementation of fluoride alone in group E reduced only plasma and VLDL esterified cholesterol. In the present male RICO rats, low dietary F and Mg supplements, separately, and especially together, may participate in the regulation of the outcome of atherosclerosis via affecting several plasma lipid risk factors known to associate with the development of atherosclerosis.