Magnesium metabolism and cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

A magnesium defieieney is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension. In patients with essential hypertension intima media thickness is increased in about 70% (ELSA Study), In our study, we investigated 21 patients ( 10 female, 11 male, average age 56.3 ± 6,6 years) with untreated essential hypertension (Grades I and II according to WHO guidelines). All patients had a hypomagnesemia in serum (1,57 ±0.11 mg%). In all patients we found a significant increase in intima media thickness of arteria carotis communis (0,97 ± 0,08 mm) (r =-0.869, p< 0.0001). The results show that a magnesium defieieney in' patients with essential hypertension may be of speeial pathogenetie importance. In addition, the role of magnesium deficiency in the development of arteriosclerosis has to be diseussed. Furthermore, we demonstrated a eonnection between magnesium defieieney and an inereased intima media thickness. In this context, calcium antagonist therapy or magnesium supplementation may be of' advantage when treating intima media thickness in hypertension.

On the Activation of Calcium-Dependent Proteolysis in Brain Neurons of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR Strain)

“…The hereditary characteristic of these animals is elevated Ca 2+ concentration in smooth muscle cells (e.g., in cells of blood vessel walls). It results in the contraction of smooth muscles, vasoconstriction and, therefore, increase in BP [7,11]. BP in SHR rats can be reduced by feeding a diet with a 3-fold higher content of Ca 2+ .…”