Intracellular Mg2+ concentrations in borderline hypertensive patients withhyperlipidaemia

We have measured plasma and intracellular Mg2+ levels in the erythrocytes o f 15 untreated borderline hypertensive patients with hyperlipidaemia of Fre derickson type II or IV, and in 25 untreated normotensive healthy subjects as controls. Plasma and erythrocytic measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In patients with borderline hypertension the total erythrocyte Mg2+ content was significantly lower (1.56 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, me an +/- SD), than in the controls (1.79 +/- 0.16 mmol/l, P < 0.05). After 4 weeks of physiological oral supplementation with 500 mg Mg2+/day, the eryth rocyte Mg2+ content had increased significantly in the borderline hypertens ive group (1.77 +/- 0.19 mmol/l) (P < 0.05). There was no significant diffe rence between the normotensive and borderline hypertensive group in plasma Mg2+ concentrations (0.88 +/- 0.14 versus 0.86 +/- 0.15 mmol/l). Systolic a nd diastolic blood pressure values of the borderline hypertensive group als o normalized after oral Mg2+ administration (before therapy: 153.2 +/- 11.4 /93.0 +/- 4.9 mmHg; after therapy: 130.6 +/- 8.4/83.2 +/- 7.8 mm Hg, P < 0. 05). Plasma cholesterol (initially 295.1 +/- 44.8 mg/dl) and triglycerides (initially 198.2 +/- 47.0 mg/dl) declined in the borderline hypertensives a fter Mg2+ supplementation to 255.4 +/- 25.7 mg/dl and 163.2 +/- 40.6 mg/dl respectively (P < 0.05). We conclude that Mg2+ deficient borderline hyperte nsives with hyperlipidaemia can benefit from magnesium supplementation with regard to high blood pressure and lipid metabolism. Med Sci Res 27:251-253 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.