The effect of magnesium forms on renal distal tubule transporters in rats fed with high fat diet

Magnesium (Mg), which takes part in many biochemical body functions, is the second most common cation of the cell and is essential for every step of life. On the other hand, chronic diseases such as obesity and high fat diet intake lead to hypomagnesemia, an electrolyte disorder. Studies on the molecular effects of dietary supplementation of Mg forms [magnesium oxide (MgO); magnesium picolinate (MgPic)] on renal Mg transporters was not found in high fat diet fed rats, even with extensive literature review. In this study, the molecular effects of these Mg forms on renal Mg carriers (TRPM6, TRPM7, EGF, claudin-16, claudin-19, NCC) have been investigated in high-fat diet fed rats. For this purpose, 42 male Sprague-Dawley (8 weeks old) rats were allocated to six groups: 1) Control; 2) MgO; 3) MgPic; 4) HFD; 5) HFD+MgO; 6) HFD+MgPic. Mg added to the diet as 500 mg elemental Mg per kg/rat. No effect on serum creatinine and urea levels of both Mg forms in the diets was detected (P > 0.05). In high fat fed rats, kidney Mg levels were found lower, while kidney MDA levels were higher. However, the kidney Mg level was increased by dietary Mg supplementation and the kidney MDA level was decreased by Mg supplementations (P<0.001). The highest increase/decrease obtained in the MgPic group. In addition, TRPM6, TRPM7, NCC, EGF, claudin16 and claudin19 Mg carriers affected negatively by the high fat diet. However, it has been determined that Mg forms, particularly MgPic, improve the levels of these ion channels (P<0.01). In conclusion, MgO and MgPic could reduce the oxidative stress in the kidneys and activate Mg carriers such as kidney TRPM6, TRPM7, NCC, EGF, claudin16, and claudin19, thus contributing to the prevention of adverse reactions due to high fat feeding in the kidneys of the rats.