Page - (000152) - in Biomedical Chemistry: Current Trends and Developments

fructose-ingestion were also revealed. Importantly, the co-ingestion of the Portuguese natural mineral-rich water reduced and/or prevented most of the changes induced by fructose and, additionally, strengthened the compensatory mechanisms and induced per se protective pathways in response to stress (Pereira, 2012a; Pereira, 2013; Pereira, 2014a; Pereira, 2014b; Pereira, 2014c; Pereira, 2015). This Portuguese natural mineral-rich water also increased hepatic catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in healthy Wistar Han rats (Bastos, 2014). Its high-content of protective minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium, as well as bicarbonate, and low chloride content may explain the favourable results obtained (Pereira, 2012a; Pereira, 2013; Pereira, 2014a; Pereira, 2014b; Pereira, 2014c; Pereira, 2015). 2.3.3 Magnesium and MetSyn/MetSyn Features – Associated Mechanisms Chronic deficiency of magnesium (in animal models with low magnesium intake) is associated with hypertension and increased heart rate (and somewhat higher plasma corticosterone levels) as well as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and oxidative stress (Caddell, 1991; Balon 1994; Laurant, 1999; Busserolles, 2003; Takaya, 2012). Clinical and experimental studies point to magnesium intake/status being inversely associated with the risk of hypertension, T2DM and coronary heart disease. Additionally, magnesium intake may decrease triglycerides and increased HDLcholesterol circulating levels (Balon, 1994; Touyz, 2003; Takaya, 2004; Barbagallo, 2007; Belin, 2007; Abete, 2011; Heer, 2015). Individuals with MetSyn (or with some of its individual components) frequently show reduced magnesium status and reduced magnesium intake as compared with non-MetSyn (or healthy) subjects (Barbagallo, 2007; Belin, 2007; Evangelopoulos, 2008; Abete, 2011; Heer, 2015). Interestingly, hypomagnesaemia has been associated with metabolic abnormalities characteristic of MetSyn in the absence of obesity and, conversely, normal circulating levels of magnesium seem to be protective against the development of metabolic complications in obese