Magnesium supplementation in Gitelman syndrome

The metabolism of potassium and magnesium are closely linked (in situations where potassium and magnesium depletion coexist, magnesium restoration alo ne is sufficient to correct hypokalemia). Moreover, magnesium deficiency bl unts the interplay between circulating calcium and the calciotropic hormone s. Renal magnesium wasting, hypokalemia, alkalosis, hypocalciuria, and a te ndency towards hypocalcemia characterize Gitelman syndrome. Plasma or intra cellular potassium, circulating calcium, and calciotropic hormones were the refore investigated in eight patients (4 females, 4 males, aged 9-20 years) with Gitelman syndrome before and during oral supplementation with magnesi um pyrrolidone carboxylate 30 mmol daily for 4 weeks. Magnesium supplementa tion significantly increased plasma and intracellular magnesium and plasma calcium, but failed to completely restore magnesium deficiency. In contrast , blood levels of parathyroid hormone and calcitriol and plasma and intrace llular potassium were not modified following magnesium administration.