Abstract
A new method to determine total Mg++ content in lymphocytes was developed, offering advantages for routine measurements as compared to fluorescence methods. Intracellular total Mg++ measurements were performed in lymphocytes of 18 healthy subjects and 19 untreated essential hypertensive patients. Mg++ content was referred to lymphocytic and membrane protein, which was determined according to Bradford's method. Mg++ measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy using a Video 12 apparatus of Thermo Electron Instrumentation Laboratory, Andover, USA. The results show that in patients with essential hypertension total intralymphocytic Mg++ content is significantly lower (0.07±0.05 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± s.d.) as compared to controls (0.11±0.04 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± s.d., p<0.05).
Free intracellular Mg++ content was measured in lymphocytes by the fluorescent indicator mag-fura-II, showing no significant differences in normotensives and hypertensives (0.30±0.16 versus 0.38±0.17 mmol/l). Additionally, in platelets free intracellular Mg++ concentrations were not found of significant difference in normotensives and hypertensives (0.52±0.23 versus 0.47±0.27 mmol/l) using mag-fura-II. In plasma Mg++ concentrations there was no significant difference in the normotensive and hypertensive group (0.92±0.07 versus 0.88±0.07 mmol/l). There was no correlation between plasma or free or total cellular magnesium concentrations in both groups. Furthermore this method seems also suitable for routine measurements of total intracellular Mg++ concentrations in even larger measurements like mag-fur-II. Lowered total intracellular Mg++ concentrations in a subgroup of primary hypertensives may contribute to the development of this disorder, perhaps due to different buffering systems.
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Kisters, K., Tokmak, F., Kosch, M. et al. Lowered total intracellular magnesium status in a subgroup of hypertensives. International Journal of Angiology 8, 154–156 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01616444
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01616444