Decrease in total and free magnesium concentration following traumatic brain injury in rats |
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Authors: | R Vink T K McIntosh P Demediuk A I Faden |
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Affiliation: | Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco. |
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Abstract: | 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration prior to and following fluid percussion induced traumatic brain injury in rats. Prior to injury, cerebral intracellular free Mg2+ concentration in the rat was 0.93 +/- 0.19 mM (mean +/- SE; n = 5). Following injury, free Mg2+ in the injured cortex declined by 70% within the first hour, and did not recover over the next 3 hours. Total Mg2+ also declined by 10% over this time period; however, there were no changes in brain Na+ or tissue water content. Because of its primary role in cellular metabolism, the early decline in tissue Mg2+ following brain trauma may be a critical factor in the development of irreversible tissue injury. |
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