Intracellular magnesium content of mononuclear blood cells and granulocytes isolated from leukemic, infected, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-treated patients

Abstract

The intracellular magnesium (Mg) concentration of granulocytes and mononuclear blood cells (MBCs) was determined in cells isolated from patients with several disorders. The mean (+/-SD) Mg content of MBCs isolated from patients diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia, myelocytic leukemia, or infection; from patients treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF); and from healthy volunteers (control group) was 2.3 (+/-0.6), 3.3 (+/-0.5), 4.1 (+/-0.8), 3.9 (+/-0.4), and 3.9 (+/-0.6) fmol/cell, respectively. The Mg content of MBCs isolated from patients with lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemia, but not those from patients with infection or receiving G-CSF treatment, were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those from the control subjects. The mean Mg concentration of granulocytes obtained from lymphocytic leukemia, myelocytic leukemia, infection, and G-CSF patients and from the control group was 3.2 (+/-0.9), 3.4 (+/-0.5), 3.8 (+/-0.6), 4.5 (+/-0.6), and 4.6 (+/-0.6) fmol/cell, respectively. Granulocytes isolated from leukemic and infectious patients yielded lower intracellular Mg concentrations (P < 0.005) than those from patients receiving G-CSF and the control group. This study demonstrates that intracellular Mg content is altered in several pathological states. Several factors, including depleted Mg stores or altered intracellular Mg binding sites, could be responsible for these changes. Apparently, intracellular Mg content may be of use in assessing total body Mg status.