Background. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a diet modification and supplementation with B-group vitamins, on selected characteristics of calcium and magnesium management in rats.
Material and methods. The experiment was carried out on 60 rats aged 5 months. Animals were fed two different diets. Groups I and II received clean tap water to drink, while group III had water solution of group-B vitamins.
Results. Analysis of blood plasma calcium and magnesium concentrations in the studied animals did not reveal a significant effect of the analysed factors on blood plasma calcium concentration in examined rats. An increase of the plasma level of magnesium was observed with a change in the diet composition. The supplementation reduced magnesium level to those observed in animals fed a basic feed. Diet modification and supplementation exerted the influence on whole blood calcium and magnesium levels. A change in the composition of the diet and its supplementation results also in an increase in bone calcium content in males, and in an increase in bone magnesium content in females.
Conclusions. Lack of changes in blood plasma calcium levels in the studied animals implies the preservation of the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate its concentration, whereas the observed significant changes in the concentration of magnesium, point to a significant effect of this factor on its metabolism. Changes in hematocrit indicator, whole blood concentrations of calcium and magnesium and the absence of changes in concentrations of these elements in blood plasma of supplemented animals may indicate that the elements move to erythrocytes, which may imply a distortion of cellular membrane and an increase in its permeability. Composition of the diet and its supplementation modified also bone calcium and magnesium concentrations in the studied rats.