Leukocytosis, Bone Marrow Hyperplasia and Leukemia in Chronic Magnesium Deficiency in the Rat

Abstract

Abstract Hematologic studies, including bone marrow examinations, have been done on a series of rats which were on a magnesium-deficient diet, with or without 2-AAF supplementation. Leukocytosis and granulocytosis could be maintained in these deficient rats by decreasing their intake of magnesium and could be reversed by the addition of magnesium. The bone marrows of the magnesium-deficient group showed granulocytic hyperplasia; the bone marrows of the deficient 2-AAF supplemented rats showed erythrocytic hyperplasia, as well as granulocytic hyperplasia. Chronic granulocytic leukemia developed in two magnesium deficient rats and persisted after magnesium supplements were given. This leukemia has been successfully transplanted into newborn rats.