Thermal and electronic transport properties and two-phase mixtures in La(5/8-x)Pr(x)Ca(3/8)MnO3

We measured thermal conductivity kappa, thermoelectric power S, and electric conductivity sigma of La(5/8-x)Pr(x)Ca(3/8)MnO3, showing an intricate interplay between metallic ferromagnetism (FM) and charge ordering (CO) instability. The change of kappa, S, and sigma with temperature (T) and x agrees well with the effective medium theories for binary metal-insulator mixtures. This agreement clearly demonstrates that with the variation of T as well as x, the relative volumes of FM and CO phases drastically change and percolative metal-insulator transition occurs in the mixture of FM and CO domains.

Induction and inhibition of testicular germ cell apoptosis by fluoroacetate in rats

Fluoroacetate (FA), an inhibitor of aconitase, is known to lower the intracellular level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which recently has been suggested to be a possible determinant of the form of cell death, apoptosis or necrosis. To investigate which form of germ cell death occurs in FA-induced testicular toxicity, adult Sprague Dawley rats were given a single oral dose of FA (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) and euthanized at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h thereafter. Germ cell degeneration was histologically first found in early round spermatids at stage I and in spermatogonia at stages II-IV of seminiferous tubules 6 and 12 h, respectively, after dosing. Degenerating spermatogonia exhibited characteristic features of apoptosis as demonstrated by both electron microscopy and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), whereas spermatids did not. At the 24 and 48 h time points, degenerating spermatids were continually present and subsequently formed multinucleated giant cells, while the number of degenerating spermatogonia and TUNEL-labeled spermatogonia was drastically and/or significantly decreased compared to those from the control group, indicating that spontaneous male germ cell apoptosis is inhibited. Coincident with these morphological changes, DNA laddering on gel electrophoresis was apparent only 12 h after dosing. The results demonstrate that FA induces either apoptosis or necrosis of male germ cells in the early stage after dosing and subsequently inhibits spontaneous apoptosis.

Comparison of isoflavones among dietary intake, plasma concentration and urinary excretion for accurate estimation of phytoestrogen intake

Biological effects of dietary isoflavones, such as daidzein and genistein are of interest in preventive medicine. We estimated the dietary intake of isoflavones from dietary records and compared the values with the plasma concentrations and urinary excretions in Japanese middle-aged women. The dietary intake of daidzein and genistein was 64.6 and 111.6 mumol /day/capita (16.4 and 30.1 mg/day/capita), respectively. The isoflavones intake was mostly attributable to tofu, natto and miso. The median of plasma daidzein and genistein concentration was 72.46 and 206.09 nmol/L, respectively. The median of urinary excretion was 20.54 mumol /day for daidzein, 10.79 for genistein, 15.74 for equol and 1.64 for O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA). Equol and O-DMA were excreted by 50% and 84% of all participants, respectively. Equol metabolizers were significantly lower the plasma and urinary daidzein and urinary O-DMA. The dietary intake of daidzein and genistein after the adjustment for total energy intake was significantly correlated with the urinary excretion (r = 0.365 for daidzein and r = 0.346 for genistein) and plasma concentration (r = 0.335 for daidzein and r = 0.429 for genistein). The plasma concentration of isoflavones was also significantly correlated with the urinary excretion. We conclude that in epidemiological studies measurements of plasma concentration or urinary excretion of these isoflavones are useful biomarkers of dietary intake and important for studies on their relation to human health.

Heterogeneity of dermal deposition of eosinophil granule major basic protein in acute lesions of atopic dermatitis

Deposition of eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) often occurs in acute and chronic lesions of atopic dermatitis, but it is not clear what the factors may be that are related to the MBP deposition in some skin lesions of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a personal or family history of respiratory atopy is related to the intensity of MBP deposition in acute lesions. We immunohistochemically stained biopsy specimens from acute, non-oozing indurated erythematous lesions of atopic dermatitis with BMK-13, a monoclonal antibody which recognizes MBP. The subjects were 40 adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Of the 40 patients, 22 had a personal history of respiratory atopy, 8 had a family history of respiratory atopy, and 10 had neither a personal nor a family history of respiratory atopy. Deposition of MBP was observed in the specimens from 24 (60%) of the 40 patients examined. Furthermore, there were great individual differences in the intensity of MBP deposition. A strong MBP deposition was often seen in specimens from patients with atopic dermatitis who had a personal or family history of respiratory atopy, but was absent in specimens from those patients with atopic dermatitis who had neither a personal nor a family history of respiratory atopy. We conclude that a strong MBP deposition seems to occur in acute lesions of those patients with atopic dermatitis who have a predisposition to respiratory atopy.

Comparison of various phosphate salts as the dietary phosphorus source on nephrocalcinosis and kidney function in rats

The effects of various phosphate salts as the dietary phosphorus sources on the development of nephrocalcinosis and kidney function were examined in rats fed diets containing monophosphate salts (sodium dihydrogenphosphate, NaH2PO4, or potassium dihydrogenphosphate, KH2PO4) or polyphosphate salts (sodium tripolyphosphate, Na5P3O10, or potassium tripolyphosphate, K5P3O10), at levels representing normal phosphorus (normal phosphorus diet) or high phosphorus (high phosphorus diet) contents for 21 d. High phosphorus diet-feeding increased the kidney calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Kidney calcium and phosphorus concentrations were higher in rats fed the high phosphorus diet containing Na5P3O10 or K5P3O10 than in rats fed the high phosphorus diet containing NaH2PO4 or KH2PO4. Nephrocalcinosis was observed in all rats fed a high phosphorus diet, and the degree of nephrocalcinosis was more severe in rats fed Na5P3O10 or K5P3O10 than in rats fed NaH2PO4 or KH2PO4. In rats fed the high phosphorus diet, creatinine clearance was higher in rats fed Na5P3O10 or K5P3O10 than in rats fed NaH2PO4 or KH2PO4. In rats fed Na5P3O10 or K5P3O10, urinary albumin excretion and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in the urine were increased in rats fed the high phosphorus diet. These were higher in rats fed the high phosphorus diet containing Na5P3O10 than in rats fed the high phosphorus diet containing NaH2PO4 or KH2PO4. This study observed that the development of nephrocalcinosis and kidney function in rats fed the high phosphorus diet was influenced by the difference in monophosphate or polyphosphate salts provided as the dietary phosphorus source, while the effects of sodium and potassium salts were not evident. We suggest that the development of nephrocalcinosis and kidney function in rats fed a high phosphorus diet was altered depending on the form of phosphate salts provided as the dietary source of phosphorus. Additionally, the development of nephrocalcinosis and diminished kidney function in rats fed the high phosphorus diet was more severe for polyphosphate salts as compared to monophosphate salts.

Dietary heme iron does not prevent postgastrectomy anemia but fructooligosaccharides improve bioavailability of heme iron in rats

Gastrectomized rats exhibit iron deficiency anemia. We observed the effects of dietary heme-iron and short chain frucooligosaccharides (Sc-FOS) in relation to prevention of postgastrectomy anemia in rats. Twelve laparotomized (sham-operated) rats were fed iron-citrate (control) as iron source diet without or with Sc-FOS (75 g/kg of diet) and twenty four totally gastrectomized (Bilroth II) rats, were fed a iron-citrate (control) or heme-iron (heme) as iron source diet without or with Sc-FOS (75 g/kg of diet) for 4 weeks. All rats received an intramuscular injection of vitamin B-12 every two weeks. Tail blood was collected every other week for determination of hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed and whole blood was collected. The total gastrectomy induced the postgastrectomy anemia. Dietary Sc-FOS increase iron absorption and thereby prevented completely this anemia in gastrectomized rats fed the control diet but this effect of Sc-FOS in rats fed heme diet was not complete. Dietary heme iron could not prevent postgastrectomy anemia itself, but fructooligosaccharides improve bioavailability of not only non-heme iron such as iron-citrate, but also heme-iron in rats.

Quantitative studies of the optic nerve fiber layer in the chicken retina

The optic nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the chicken retina was studied quantitatively and morphologically at 17 positions along seven radially arranged bands from the dorsal tip of the pecten oculi using electron microscopy. The number of nerve fibers was counted in areas 6 microm in width x the full thickness of the NFL. Myelinated nerve fibers in the NFL were also identified immunohistochemically using anti-myelin basic protein serum. The dorsal area (dorsal, dorso-temporal and dorso-nasal bands) in the retina had thin NFL and contained the largest number of nerve fibers, which were mainly thin and unmyelinated. The ventral area (ventral and ventro-temporal bands) had a thick NFL and contained a relatively small number of nerve fibers, many of which were myelinated. The nasal band had the thickest NFL and contained as many nerve fibers as the dorsal area, with the temporal band showing a high ratio of myelinated fibers. The band had a thick NFL and contained many nerve fibers with a relatively low ratio of myelinated fibers. The relationship between the number and composition of nerve fibers in the NFL to the chicken visual characteristics was discussed. Although the myelin in the chicken retina was loose type, the myelin-forming cells were similar in appearance to dense oligodendrocytes. retina, morphometry, myelinated fiber, nerve fiber layer.

Components of energy expenditure in patients with severe sepsis and major trauma: a basis for clinical care

OBJECTIVE

To obtain accurate values for the components of energy expenditure in critically ill patients with sepsis or trauma during the first 2 wks after admission to the intensive care unit.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Critical care unit and university department of surgery in a single tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Twelve severely septic (median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Score, 23; range, 15 to 34) and 12 major trauma patients (median Injury Severity Score, 33.5; range, 26 to 50).

INTERVENTIONS

Total body fat, total body protein, and total body glycogen were measured as soon as hemodynamic stability had been reached and repeated 5 and 10 days later. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured daily by indirect calorimetry.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Changes in total body fat, total body protein, and total body glycogen in critically ill patients provide data for the accurate construction of an energy balance. Energy intake minus energy balance gives a direct measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE) and, when combined with measurements of REE, activity energy expenditure can be obtained. TEE, REE, and activity energy expenditure were calculated for two sequential 5-day study periods. REE progressively increased during the first week after the onset of severe sepsis or major trauma, peaking during the second week at 37 +/- 6% (SEM) and 60 +/- 13% greater than predicted, respectively. For both the sepsis and trauma patients, TEE was significantly higher during the second week than during the first week (3257 +/- 370 vs. 1927 +/- 370 kcal/day, p < .05, in sepsis; 4123 +/- 518 vs. 2380 +/- 422 kcal/day, p < .05, in trauma). During the first week after admission to the hospital, TEE in sepsis and trauma patients, respectively, averaged 25 +/- 5 and 31 +/- 6 kcal/kg of body weight/day, and during the second week, 47 +/- 6 and 59 +/- 7 kcal/kg/day (p < .03, for comparison of first and second weeks). For the first week, the ratio of TEE to REE was 1.0 +/- 0.2 and 1.1 +/- 0.2 but during the second week rose to 1.7 +/- 0.2 and 1.8 +/- 0.2 in patients with sepsis (p < .05, for comparison of weeks) and trauma (p = .09), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Total energy expenditure is maximal during the second week after admission to the critical care unit, reaching 50 to 60 kcal/kg/day.

Doxorubicin induces male germ cell apoptosis in rats

To clarify whether apoptosis is involved in doxorubicin (DXR)-induced testicular toxicity and to identify the target germ cell type, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single intravenous dose of DXR (8 or 12 mg/kg) and euthanized at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h subsequently. Histologically, germ cell degeneration was first found 6 h after dosing in meiotically dividing spermatocytes and early round spermatids of seminiferous tubules at stage 1, and subsequently observed in spermatogonia at stages I-VI showing ultrastructural characteristics of apoptosis. Coincident with the appearance of morphological changes, degenerating germ cells were shown to be undergoing apoptosis as revealed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The frequency of TUNEL-labeled germ cells increased in a stage- and cell type-specific manner, the peak of frequency gradually progressing from stage I of seminiferous tubules to later stages with time after dosing, suggesting that the damaged germ cells, especially spermatogonia, gradually underwent the processes leading to apoptosis. DNA laddering on gel electrophoresis was apparent 24 and 48 h after dosing. The results demonstrate that apoptosis plays an important role in the induction of testicular toxicity caused by DXR with meiotically dividing spermatocytes and type A and intermediate spermatogonia as highly vulnerable target cells.

Association between mast cell chymase genotype and atopic eczema: comparison between patients with atopic eczema alone and those with atopic eczema and atopic respiratory disease

BACKGROUND

It has remained unclear whether genetic background of patients with atopic eczema (AE) alone is identical to that of patients with both AE and atopic respiratory disease.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess whether there is a genetic difference between these two groups of AE patients.

METHOD

We determined the genotype with regard to an allelic polymorphism in the gene for mast cell chymase (MCC; a serine protease secreted from mast cells) in 169 AE patients.

RESULTS

MCC genotype was significantly associated with pure AE patients who did not have a predisposition to atopic respiratory disease and whose serum IgE concentration was < 500 IU/mL. The distribution of MCC genotypes also differed significantly between the latter patients and those AE patients with bronchial asthma and a serum IgE concentration of > 2000 IU/mL.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that pure AE is associated with genetic variants of MCC, and that the genetic basis of pure AE differs from that of AE associated with atopic asthma.

[The current state of leak in anesthetic machines detected by low flow leak tests]

To assess the current state of leak in anesthetic machines, we selected 66 units of anesthetic machines for inspection and repair from various medical institutions. Based on a newly designed inspection flow chart a low flow leak test for internal circuits of the anesthetic machines was performed. The conventional low flow leak test was also performed for smooth detection of leak for rational evaluation. Only 39% of the anesthetic machines met the standard of the low flow leak tests, and leak was detected in the remaining 61%. The average residual leak mounted to 0.97 l.min-1, with the maximum of 5.3 l.min-1. Canisters, corrugated tubes, and vaporizers were considered the primary causes of leak. After the inspection and repair, leak in 77.5% of the anesthetic machines either disappeared or decreased and the average residual leak dropped to 0.34 l.min-1. However, 47% of the anesthetic machines still failed to meet the standard of the low flow leak tests. To further improve the situation, more detailed inspection and repair are necessary especially for precise detection of the cause of leak in the internal circuit of anesthetic machines which often remains undetected.

Neurogenic vasodilatation of canine isolated small labial arteries

Mechanisms underlying vasodilatation to nerve stimulation by electrical pulses and nicotine were analyzed in isolated canine small labial arteries. Transmural electrical stimulation (5 and 20 Hz) produced a contraction followed by a relaxation in labial arterial strips denuded of the endothelium, partially contracted with prostaglandin F2alpha. The contraction was abolished by prazosin or combined treatment with alpha, beta-methylene ATP. In the treated strips, neurogenic relaxation was abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and restored by L-arginine. The D-enantiomers were without effect. Nicotine (10(-4) M) also relaxed the arteries, in which the contractile response was abolished by prazosin and alpha, beta-methylene ATP. The relaxant response was attenuated but not abolished by L-NA; the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine. The remaining relaxation by nicotine was abolished by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-[8 to 37], a CGRP1 receptor antagonist. Relaxations elicited by a lower concentration of nicotine (2 x 10(-5) M) sufficient to produce similar magnitudes of response to those induced by 5-Hz electrical nerve stimulation were also inhibited partially by L-NA. Histochemical study with the NADPH-diaphorase method demonstrated positively stained nerve fibers and bundles in the arterial wall, suggesting the presence of neuronal NO synthase. It is concluded that the relaxation induced by electrical nerve stimulation of small labial arteries is mediated exclusively by NO synthesized from L-arginine in nerve terminals, whereas nicotine in the concentrations used evokes relaxations by a mediation of nerve-derived NO and also CGRP, possibly from sensory nerves. The reason why nicotine but not electrical pulses stimulates sensory nerves and elicits vasorelaxation remains unsolved.

Apoptosis of villous epithelial cells and follicle-associated epithelial cells in chicken cecum

The process of the disappearance of epithelial cells was examined in chicken cecal villi and follicle-associated epithelium (FAE). The apoptotic epithelial cells with intense DNA-fragmentation and their exfoliation were found in the villous tips. The epithelial cells with weak DNA-fragmentation were seen in the upper portion of the villi and their sparse exfoliations were also found there. Numerous epithelial cells in the intestinal lumen expressed the apoptotic features. A row of apoptotic epithelial cells with DNA-fragmentation was also found in the apical FAE, whereas no M cells exhibited any apoptotic signs. In all cecal regions, CD3+, CD8+, and TCR2+ lymphocytes were predominant in the epithelium at the upper portion of the villi and the FAE. CD4+ lymphocytes were mainly seen in the lamina propria. TCR1+ lymphocytes were not abundant in comparison with TCR2+ lymphocytes in the epithelium. TCR3+ T lymphocytes were rarely detected. These results suggest that the chicken cecal epithelial cells exfoliated into the lumen after the induction of the apoptosis, and that the induction may be involved with CD3+, CD8+, and TCR2+ lymphocytes. No death in M cells suggests that M cells may transform into microvillous epithelial cells.

Cell kinetics of mouse tumour subjected to photodynamic therapy--evaluation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry

Tumour reaction and tumour cell kinetics in mouse NR-S1 carcinoma subjected to photodynamic therapy (PDT) were evaluated by percentage of necrotic area as well as by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry, and an effective PDT fractionation interval was proposed. PDT was carried out in mouse NR-S1 carcinomas using a photosensitizer (haematoporphyrin oligomers: 20 mg kg body weight) and pulsed Nd:YAG dye laser. The percentages of tumour necrotic area and PCNA labelling indices (LIs) in the tumours were assessed at intervals of 0, 0.5, 5, 2.5, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after PDT. It was demonstrated that maximum damage and repopulation of the tumour cells emerge at 24 and 48 h, respectively, following PDT, suggesting that subsequent light treatment should be performed within 24 h to enhance the therapeutic effect of PDT.

Ultraviolet light is an environmental factor aggravating facial lesions of adult atopic dermatitis

An increasing number of adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) in Japan are distressed by persistent eczematous lesions of the face (so-called atopic red face). Phototests were carried out in 28 patients with the atopic red face to test a possibility that ultraviolet (UV) light could be an aggravating factor. Contact and photocontact dermatitis had been ruled out by repeated patch and photopatch tests. All of the patients had a normal response to a screening dose of UVA (10 J/sq cm) and a normal minimal erythema dose (MED) of UVB. Ten of these patients, however, showed an abnormal papular response to a single or 3-times consecutive UVB radiation above the MED (90 mJ/sq cm).

Effects of iron and copper supplementation on the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in the livers of iron- and copper-deficient rats

Free radicals and lipid peroxide formation are related to tissue damage. This damage is thought to be associated with various diseases. To accurately assess the degree of lipid hydroperoxidation in biological materials, three different thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay methods and the measurement of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) by the chemiluminescence-HPLC (CL-HPLC) method were compared. Iron and copper deficiencies in rats reduced the contents of these metals. The addition of iron and copper to liver homogenates produced dose-dependent increases and decreases in TBARS, respectively. TBARS measured by the Shinnhuber method slightly increased with the addition of copper. The measurement of PCOOH was less affected by the addition of these metals. TBARS did not reflect lipid peroxidation when different concentrations of metals were present in the samples. The TBARS level is thus not a suitable marker for the assess of lipid peroxidation. PCOOH, accumulated as a primary peroxidation product from membrane phospholipids in the liver, was found to be a more appropriate marker for the estimating hepatic lipid peroxidation in the iron- and/or copper-deficient condition.

Developmental study on reduction and kinks of the tail in a new mutant knotty-tail mouse

The knotty-tail (knt/knt) mouse has a short and knotty tail. The tail deformity is caused by a decrease in the number of caudal vertebrae and a deformity of them in the distal part of the tail. The objective of the study was to determine how reduction and kinks of the tail region were formed during secondary body formation. By day 12.0 pc, the somitogenesis of knt/knt embryos was completed; the number of caudal somites more or less agreed with those of the caudal vertebrae in knt/knt mice and were similar to those of knt/+ embryos. On the other hand, the somitogenesis of knt/+ embryos continued up to day 12.5 pc. The somites below about the sixth caudal somite were wedge-shaped with a dorsal apex in knt/knt embryos. The location of abnormal somites also corresponded well to that of deformed caudal vertebrae. Abnormal somitogenesis was always preceded by abnormalities in the presomitic region. Under gross observation, this could be seen to become markedly thickened, and histologically its dorsoventral diameter increased in the transverse plane on days 10.5-12.0 pc. In the mesenchyme there was often obvious cell death at the boundary of the unsegmented area and the tail bud after day 10.5 pc. These results suggested that the shortness of tail was primarily caused by the agenesis of distal caudal vertebrae following the agenesis of distal caudal somites, and partly by the disappearance of the presomitic part due to cell death, while the tail kinks were caused by the deformation of each caudal vertebra following disturbances of the caudal somites. Also, it is highly probable that the prominent cell death at the boundary of the unsegmented area and the tail bud may involve a defect or deformity of somites in this mutant.

Proliferation and cellular kinetics of villous epithelial cells and M cells in the chicken caecum

The proliferation sites and cellular kinetics of villous epithelial cells and M cells in the intestine of the adult chicken have never been clarified. In this study, we determined the proliferation sites in the chicken caecum using colchicine treatment and detection of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The cellular kinetics of these cells were also studied using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a tracer. Enterocytes in their mitotic period were observed along the entire length of the intestinal crypt of the caecum, with a denser distribution in the middle portion of the crypt, except for the caecal tonsil. The centres of distributions were at 49% of the distance from the bottom of the crypt in the base and 41% in the apex of the caecum. In the caecal tonsil, the centres of distributions were at 64% in the long type of crypt from the bottom of the crypt and at 44% in the short type of crypt. On the other hand, the PCNA-positive enterocytes were distributed more densely at the bottom of the crypt, except for the caecal tonsil. The centres of distributions were at 36% in the base from the bottom of the crypt, 37% in the body, and 34% in the apex. In the caecal tonsil, they were at 54% in the long type of crypt and 44% in the short type. The BrdU-labelled enterocytes reached to the basement of the intestinal villi in all caecal portions at 1 d after the BrdU administration. The leading edge of the labelled enterocytes disappeared from the villous tips at 4 d in the base and the body and 3 d in the apex. In the caecal tonsil, the BrdU-labelled microvillous epithelial cells and the M cells appeared near the orifice of the crypt at 1 d, and BrdU-labelled M cells were not observed in the crypt. Thereafter, almost all of these cells disappeared at 5 d from the follicle associated epithelium (FAE). These results suggest that M cells are transformed from their precursors within 1 d, and the turnover time for M cells occurs within 4 d after the cell division of the precursors.

Diminished kidney function and nephrocalcinosis in rats fed a magnesium-deficient diet

The effect of a magnesium-deficient diet on kidney function was studied in young male rats. The rats were fed a purified diet with a magnesium content of either 20.5 (control diet) or 2.6 mmol/kg (magnesium-deficient diet) for 21 d. In rats fed the magnesium-deficient diet, kidney wet and dry weights were significantly increased, and calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the kidney were significantly higher than in rats fed the control diet. Upon histological examination, an increase in the mesangial matrix of the glomeruli and injury to the brush border of the proximal tubules were observed in rats fed the magnesium-deficient diet. Also, a deposition of calcium was observed in the tubules of the corticomedullary junction and medulla of these rats. Total protein and albumin concentrations in serum were significantly decreased in rats fed the magnesium-deficient diet. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly higher, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in the urine was significantly increased in rats fed the magnesium-deficient diet. These findings indicate diminished glomerular and proximal tubular functions. We suggest that a magnesium-deficient diet not only induces nephrocalcinosis, but it also diminishes kidney function.