DECREASED MEMBRANE MG2+ CONCENTRATIONS IN A SUBGROUP OF HYPERTENSIVESMEMBRANE MODEL FOR THE PATHOGENESIS OF PRIMARY HYPERTENSION

Intracellular Mg2+ measurements were performed in erythrocyte membrane s of 18 untreated normotensive and 19 untreated essential hypertensive patients. Mg2+ concentrations were determined by atomic absorption sp ectroscopy using a Video 12 apparatus. The results show that in patien ts with essential hypertension total Mg2+ content in erythrocyte membr anes was significantly decreased as compared with the control group (0 .28 +/- 0.05 v 0.52 +/- 0.15 mmol/g membrane protein; mean +/- SD, P < .001). Additionally, plasma and free intracellular Mg2+ content of lym phocytes and platelets showed no significant difference in normotensiv es and hypertensives. Lowered total membrane Mg2+ concentrations in a subgroup of primary hypertensives may contribute to the development of this disorder, perhaps due to different buffering or membrane transpo rt systems. (C) 1998 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.