Background Experimental, clinical and metabolic studies have demonstrated that magnesium (Mg) plays an important role in arterial pressure regulation. The aim of the study was to estimate Mg content in hair, its concentration in plasma and elimination with urine in uncomplicated and complicated hypertension.
Material and methods The study comprised 170 subjects, aged from 33 to 60 years, divided into 3 groups: I - 46 clinically healthy subjects), II - 64 hypertensive patients without complications and III - 60 hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and/or coronary artery disease confirmed on coronarography. Age and gender ratio was similar in all the investigated groups. All the qualified subjects were not administered any drugs at least 6 weeks prior to the inclusion into the study. The determinations of Mg values in hair, its plasma concentration and 24 h elimination in urine were performed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, Philips PU 7000).
Results The hair content of Mg in groups I, II and III was respectively: 33.8 ± 27.9; 32.1 ± 30.2 and 32.3 ± 29.9 µg/g of hair. The differences between the groups were statistically insignificant. Mg plasma concentration was group I - 1.60 ± 0.69 mg/dl, in group II: 1.29 ± 0.51 mg/dl and in group III - 1.17 ± 0.49 mg/dl. The differences were statistically significant between group I and III (p < 0.05). Elimination of Mg in 24 h urine was in groups I, II and III respectively: 248 ± 98; 274 ± 169 and 270 ± 148 mg. The differences between the groups were statistically insignificant.
Conclusion The observed decreased plasma magnesium concentration in patients with non-complicated and complicated hypertension suggests that its deficit may be one of the pathogenetic factors of the development of arterial hypertension and organ complications.