Effect of chronic administration of magnesium supplement (magnesium glycinate) on male albino wistar rats’ intestinal (Ileum) motility, body weight changes, food and water intake

Recent researches suggests magnesium as an adjuvant medication for COVID 19 patients. Magnesium relaxes skeletal muscles, an effect when prolonged in intestinal smooth muscles can cause severe discomfort such as bloating, vomiting, constipation and nausea. The objectives of this study was to ascertain if magnesium will cause relaxation of the intestinal (ileum) smooth muscles as it does in skeletal muscles. Also, this research seeks to find out the receptor pathway through which magnesium will alter motility in the gut using acetylcholine, atropine and propranolol. Ten male albino wistar rats (100–150 g) were randomly assigned into two groups (control and magnesium treated) (n = 5). Animals were acclimatized for two weeks before treatment which lasted for 6 weeks. Magnesium treated animals received oral magnesium glycinate (1600 mg/70 kg) daily while control group receive normal saline of equal volume. All animals had free access to food and water ad libitum. Results were analyzed at statistical level of P < 0.05. Body weight changes, food and water intake were not statistically significant. Basal contractions of ileum in magnesium treated group were significantly lower compared to control group. Propranolol significantly increased the percentage relaxation in magnesium treated group compared to the control. Atropine significantly decrease the percentage relaxation in magnesium treated group compared to the control. Higher doses of acetylcholine (10(−5) and 10(−4)) increased the contractions in magnesium treated group. Conclusively, magnesium decreases motility of the intestine through beta adrenergic receptor pathway. Intake of magnesium for long period should be closely monitored to avoid the discomforting symptoms earlier stated.