Magnesium levels in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet in hypertensive and normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The authors, by means of a recently introduced method, evaluated the intraplatelet concentrations of magnesium in 45 normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus, in 45 hypertensive diabetics and in 15 healthy controls. They also evaluated plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of the cation through direct current plasma spectrometer. Both normotensive and hypertensive diabetics showed a reduction in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet concentrations of magnesium compared to controls. On the contrary, no significant difference was found between hypertensive and normotensive diabetics with regard to plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, whereas intraplatelet assay of the ion pointed out significantly lower concentrations of magnesium in hypertensive compared to normotensive patients (56.4 +/- 9.0 vs 60.7 +/- 10.2 micrograms/10(8) cells--p < 0.05). The authors believe that intraplatelet assay of magnesium may be the most reliable method for the evaluation of the cation in hypertensive diabetics, probably because platelets share common features with smooth muscle cells, including the alpha-2-adrenoceptor cyclase system and a coupling mechanism concerning the calcium-dependent contraction.

Correspondence

“…These data, which are in agreement with those reported in our previous study, 5 seem to confirm the existence of a common impairment of ionic homeostasis in obese patients, essential hypertensives and diabetics. The lack of a correlation between fasting insulin (or blood pressure levels) and magnesium concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, and platelets could reflect the major role of a primary impairment of ionic metabolism, which is probably common in hypertension, obesity, and type II diabetes mellitus, as suggested by the ''ionic hypothesis of cardiovascular and metabolic disease,'' 1 rather than being a consequence of hyperinsulinemia, insulin-resistance, or hypertension, often occurring in these patients.…”

“…1 It is often deferred to specialists to confirm the final diagnosis. Diagnostic maneuvers 5,6 like Adson's 1 are considered by some generalists to reside more in the domain of the subspecialists. Our method can be readily used by general practitioners.…”

“…3,4 Elsewhere, we observed reduced intraplatelet magnesium concentrations in essential hypertensives and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). 5 Here we evaluate plasma, erythrocyte and intraplatelet magnesium concentrations in normotensive (N ϭ 26) and hypertensive (N ϭ 12) obese patients, and in healthy volunteers (N ϭ 25) in an attempt to ascertain whether this disorder is characterized by an altered magnesium status. Patients considered hypertensive had blood pressure Ͼ160/90 mm Hg on at least four sets of readings being taken at 1 week intervals.…”

AQP1 in Red Blood Cells of Uremic Patients during Hemodialytic Treatment

“…Plasma was collected with centrifugation (1,200  g , 20 min, 4°C), white cells were removed as reported elsewhere [8]and plasma was stored at –20°C until determination of plasma Na + and K + and osmolality. Plasma ions (sodium, potassium), as well as arterial pH, were determined using a standardized procedure, whereas Na and K assessment for RBC were achieved following the method described by Brugnara et al [2].…”

“…The hemolysate of each sample was stored at –80°C. Intra-erythrocytic Na + and K + contents were determined in RBC lysate, obtained by adding 20 ml of saponine solution 20% [8]. …”