Changes in Urinary Proteome Post-Translational Modifications Following Short-Term Intake of Specific Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, and Iron Supplements in Rats

Magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron are essential mineral elements indispensable for maintaining physiological functions in mammals. This study investigated changes in post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the urinary proteome in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of different ages following short-term intragastric administration of magnesium L-threonate (MgT), calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, and polysaccharide-iron complex. The results revealed PTM alterations in the urinary proteins of rats in all mineral supplement groups, with the most pronounced changes observed in the polysaccharide-iron complex group. Notably, rats of different ages exhibited distinct responses to the same mineral supplement. The proteins carrying differential PTMs were involved in a wide range of biological functions, and several of them, including serotransferrin and beta-2-microglobulin, are closely associated with mineral metabolism. This study explores the functional changes in urinary proteins from a PTM perspective following short-term mineral supplementation in rats, providing a novel viewpoint for investigating the physiological functions of mineral elements.