Biomaterial Database

Increased erythrocyte magnesium content in essential hypertension. 1990

S E Kjeldsen, and O M Sejersted, and P Frederichsen, and P Leren, and I K Eide

Department of Internal Medicine, Ullevaal University Hospital, Norway.

The present study aimed at testing the hypothesis of decreased erythrocyte magnesium content and magnesium deficiency in essential hypertension. Atomic absorption was used to measure the erythrocyte content of total magnesium in 50-year-old otherwise healthy white males with essential hypertension (n = 12, blood pressure (mean +/- SE) 155 +/- 4/109 +/- 2 mmHg) that had never been treated and in normotensive control subjects (n = 12, blood pressure 128 +/- 2/88 +/- 1 mmHg) matched for age, sex, race, height, weight and smoking habits. The erythrocyte magnesium content was significantly increased in the hypertensive group (2.266 +/- 0.063 vs 1.903 +/- 0.069 mmol/l erythrocytes, p less than 0.001). No significant difference between the groups was detected for serum concentration or the 24-h urinary excretion of magnesium. In conclusion, the present study indicates increased rather than decreased erythrocyte content of magnesium in 50-year-old white males with 'never-treated', essential hypertension. Magnesium deficiency is, therefore, unlikely in this subset of critically selected and matched hypertensive patients.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006973	Hypertension	Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more.	Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23