Objective    To investigate the effects of purified water on rat health and the synergistic action of magnesium-deficient diet.      Methods    Weaning SD rats were assigned to 4 groups

respectively fed on normal diet and normal water (control group)

normal diet and purified water (group B)

magnesium-deficient diet and normal water (group C)

magnesium-deficient diet and purified water (group D) for 8 weeks. The body weight was measured once a week. After sacrifrce

the heart

liver

spleen

lung and kidney of rats were weighed to calculate organic indexes. The serum protein

serum magnesium and organ magnesium were detected.      Results    No significant difference was found in body weight

organic indexes

the level of serum protein and serum magnesium between control group and group B (P0.05). Body weight and the serum protein level in group D were significantly lower than those in group C (P0.05).      Conclusion    When rats are fed on magnesium-deficient diet

purified water intake decreases their body weight gain and restricts their serum protein synthesis.