Magnesium in Thermoregulation

Nine apparently healthy male subjects, aged 19–25, free from disease, medication or addiction, who gave informed consent underwent 10 days acclimatization process in a heat chamber. They were exposed for 2 h. daily to a temperature of 40°C and 40% relative humidity during low work load. Serum, mononuclear and erythrocyte magnesium (S-Mg, M-Mg and E-Mg respectively) were monitored on day 1, 5 and 10 before and after the heat exposure. S-Mg decreased while M-Mg increased during heat exposures suggesting a shift of S-Mg to mononuclear cells. At the end of the acclimatization process S-Mg was significantly decreased (p<0.003). E-Mg increased up to day 5 and decreased gradually approximating the baseline by day 10. Mg appears to play a significant role in heat acclimatization.