Synergistic effect of ofloxacin and magnesium deficiency on joint cartilage in immature rats

Lozo E, Riecke K, Schwabe R, et al. · Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Ofloxacin alone caused no cartilage lesions on a standard diet, but produced lesions in 10 of 12 magnesium-deficient rats — quinolone chondrotoxicity depends heavily on functional magnesium status.

Population

Immature rats on standard vs magnesium-deficient diets

Intervention

Ofloxacin 30 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days

Comparator

Same dose on magnesium-replete diet

Limitations

Juvenile rodent model; magnesium deficiency was experimentally induced; human dietary relevance speculative.