Magnesium and toxic metals

Our previous results have shown that, among the numerous negative effects of metal (lead, cadium, fluoride, manganese etc.) chronic intoxication, deficiencies of bioelements (iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine and magnesium) in the blood occur. According to our later investigation, an increased oral intake of Mg induces enhanced urinary Pb excretion in animals exposed to chronic Pb intoxication. The results suggested that oral Mg treatment, although inducing later Pb elimination than CaNa(2)EDTA, (chelating agent currently used in the therapy of chronic Pb intoxication), have even better effect on the investigated biochemical parameters (protoporphyrin IX, Zn protoporphyrin and delta-aminolevulinic acid), than the chelating therapy. We found that the same Mg treatment did not have a statistically significant effect oil the elimination of normal Zn and Cu, or oil their levels in blood and ill nine investigated organs. This is an advantage of Mg compared to CaNa,EDTA, which provokes elevated urinary excretion of Zn and some other essential minerals. These findings indicate a possible replacement with of the chelating agent by Mg ill clinical practice. Among the results, which contribute to the interactions between Mg and toxic metals, we note that antagonism determined of the other authors using different experimental models with Cd, Mn, Cr and Hg. These findings suggest similar relations between Mg and certain heavy metals, thus pointing to the significant role of Mg in the toxicology of heavy metals and announcing a new chapter in the toxicology of metals entitled "Mg in professional and ecotoxicology".