Magnesium concentration in plasma, leukocytes and urine of children with intermittent asthma

Background: Magnesium (Mg) is involved in numerous physiological functions, including protein folding, intracellular signalling and enzyme catalysis. It acts as a smooth muscle relaxant. We decided to test changes of total Mg concentration in plasma, leukocytes and urine of 16 healthy children and 2 6 patients with intermittent asthma aged 3 to 14 years. Methods: Samples we re taken on the first day of broncho-obstruction and five days after the ac ute attack. During this period, patients were under salbutamol therapy. Res ults: Plasma Mg concentration in patients increased by about 40% (first day 0.58 +/-0.05 mmol Mg/l and five days later 0.64 +/-0.04 mmol Mg/l) compare d with healthy children (0.42 +/-0.04 mmol Mg/l). Leukocyte Ma concentratio ns showed significant changes. On the first day of broncho-obstruction, Mg in leukocytes significantly decreased by about 60% (1.16 +/-0.31 mmol Mg/g protein) compared to healthy children (3.04 +/-0.68 mmol Mg/g protein). Fiv e days later, Mg values significantly increased (3.28 +/-1.09 mmol Mg/g pro tein) and almost reached the values of the healthy group. Mg concentration in urine statistically decreased by about 30% (0.55 +/-0.06 mmol Mg/mmol cr eatinine) on the first day of broncho-obstruction compared to healthy child ren (0.75 +/-0.05 mmol Mg/mmol creatinine). Five days after the acute attac k, Mg concentration in patients' urine (0.73 +/-0.07 mmol Mg/mmol creatinin e) was close to values of healthy children. Conclusion: The results obtaine d indicate that the intracellular measurement of Mg concentration is releva nt for estimation of magnesium Concentration in the human organism. Hence, determination of Mg concentration in lekocytes may be used in evaluation of asthmatic pathology. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.