Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that magnesium (Mg) participates in the regulation of immune system including cell proliferation and apoptosis. Few studies have been reported regarding the effects of Mg concentration on the apoptosis and autography of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood from healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Mg concentration on the apoptosis and autography of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood from healthy subjects.
METHODS: Peripheral blood CD4⁺T lymphocytes were isolated from 20 healthy subjects, and then cultured in low concentrations of Mg (0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L), physiological concentration of Mg (0.8 mmol/L) or high concentration of Mg (5 and 10 mmol/L). Apoptosis and autophagy levels were analyzed by flow cytometry after 1, 2, and 3 days.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The apoptosis and autophagy level of CD4⁺ T cells were significantly increased after cultured with low concentrations of extracellular Mg (0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L) (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased after cultured with high concentrations of extracellular Mg (5 and 10 mmol/L) (P < 0.05). Mg at a non-physiological concentration showed a concentration-dependent and time-dependent effect on apoptosis and autophagy of CD4⁺ T cells, but Mg at a physiological concentration (0.8 mmol/L) exhibited no effects on the apoptosis and autography of CD4⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood from healthy subjects (P > 0.05). Extracellular Mg deficiency exacerbated the ratio of apoptosis and autophgy in cultured peripheral CD4⁺ T cells from healthy subjects. Mg supplement reduced them and physiological concentration of Mg did not affect them.