Decreased cellular Mg2+ concentrations in a subgroup of hypertensives : cell models for the pathogenesis of primary hypertension

• Published in: Journal of human hypertension Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 367 - 372
• Main Authors: KISTERS, K, TEPEL, M, SPIEKER, C, DIETL, K. H, BARENBROCK, M, RAHN, K. H, ZIDEK, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing 01.06.1997; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Calcium - metabolism; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cell culture; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Female; Fluorescent indicators; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - etiology; Hypertension - metabolism; Intracellular; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - chemistry; Magnesium; Magnesium - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Proteins; Human; Hypertension; Concentration factor; Pathogenesis; Primary; Cardiovascular disease; Intracellular; Magnesium
• ISSN: 0950-9240; 1476-5527
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1000447

A new method to determine total Mg2+ content in lymphocytes was developed, offering advantages for routine measurements as compared to fluorescence methods. Intracellular Mg2+ measurements were performed in lymphocytes of 18 untreated normotensive and 19 untreated essential hypertensive patients. Mg2+ content was referred to lymphocytic protein, which was determined according to Bradford's method. Mg2+ measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy using a Video 12 apparatus from Thermo Electron Instrumentation Laboratory, Andover, MA, USA. The results show that in patients with essential hypertension, total intralymphocytic Mg2+ content is significantly lower (0.07 +/- 0.05 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean +/- s.d.) as compared to controls (0.11 +/- 0.04 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean +/- s.d., P < 0.05). Free intracellular Mg2+ content was measured in lymphocytes by the fluorescent indicator mag-fura-II, showing no significant difference in normotensives and hypertensives (0.30 +/- 0.16 vs 0.38 +/- 0.17 mmol/l). In platelets free intracellular Mg2+ concentrations were not found of significant difference in normotensive and hypertensive patients (0.52 +/- 0.23 vs 0.47 +/- 0.27 mmol/l) using mag-fura-II. In plasma Mg2+ concentrations there was no significant difference in the normotensive and hypertensive group (0.92 +/- 0.07 vs 0.88 to 0.07 mmol/l). There was no correlation between plasma, free or total cellular magnesium concentrations in each group. Furthermore this method also seems suitable for routine measurements of total intracellular Mg2+ concentrations in even larger groups of patients in comparison with fluorescent indicator measurements like mag-fura-II. Lowered total intracellular Mg2+ concentrations in a subgroup of primary hypertension may contribute to the development of this disorder, perhaps due to different buffering systems.