Free and total magnesium in lymphocytes of migraine patients - effect of magnesium-rich mineral water intake

Dietary surveys performed in Western countries show magnesium intakes lower than the recommended dietary allowances, suggesting a large prevalence of magnesium deficiency. Low brain magnesium as well as impaired magnesium met abolism have also been reported in various diseases such as migraine. To de tect these deficiencies, a non-invasive and sensitive test assessing magnes ium status is needed. Because magnesium is an infracellular cation, either total or ionized magnesium (Mg2+) of blood cells were suggested as the most adequate tests. Total magnesium levels in plasma, erythrocytes and lymphoc ytes and Mg2+ in lymphocytes were analyzed in a group of 29 migraine patien ts and 18 control subjects. Results show significantly lower concentrations of total magnesium in erythrocytes (50.7+/-4.7 vs. 53.5+/-2.9 mg/l; P <0.0 1) and of Mg2+ in lymphocytes (12.0+/-3.5 vs. 14.2+/-3.8 mg/l; P < 0.05) in migraine patients as compared to controls. While a significant difference of mean values was noted between migraine patients and controls, an overlap of individual values was observed. These analyses were repeated on migrain e patients before and after a 2-week intake of a mineral water containing 1 10 mg/l magnesium, and a significant increase in all intracellular magnesiu m concentrations with no effect on plasma magnesium was observed. These inc reased intracellular magnesium concentrations demonstrate the bioavailabili ty of magnesium from this mineral water. Among the analyzed parameters, Mg2 + in lymphocytes appears to be the most sensitive index of magnesium defici ency with a 15% decrease in migraine patients when compared to controls and a 16% increase after 2 weeks of a magnesium-rich mineral water intake. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.