MAGNESIUM STATUS IN NORMOTENSIVE AND ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS - DIFFERENT CELL MODELS

Plasma and total intracellular magnesium was measured in erythrocytes and lymphocytes from 16 healthy subjects and 20 untreated essential hy pertensive patients. Free magnesium content was also determined in pla telets. Magnesium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in pl asma, erythrocytes and lymphocytes. As a reference for lymphocytic mag nesium content, lymphocytic protein was determined according to Bradfo rd's method. Platelet magnesium was measured by the fluorescent indica tor mag fura II. There were no significant differences in the two grou ps of patients in plasma, erythrocytic or free platelet magnesium conc entrations. Total intracellular magnesium content was significantly lo wer in lymphocytes of primary hypertensive patients as compared to hea lthy subjects (0.07 +/- 0.03 versus 0.11 +/- 0.04 mmol Mg g(-1) lympha tic protein content, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between plasm a or free or total intracellular magnesium concentrations and blood pr essure values in the two groups of patients. To assess intracellular m agnesium stores appropriately remains difficult. As erythrocytes are n ot a generally accepted indicator of intracellular magnesium stores, p latelet and lymphocytic magnesium content might be of more use for ass essing magnesium status. The role for lowered intracellular magnesium concentrations in the development of primary hypertension has been pos tulated and was demonstrated in lymphocytes in the present study.