Abstract
Intracellular Mg 2+ measurements were performed in erythrocyte membranes of 18 untreated normotensive and 19 untreated essential hypertensive patients. Mg 2+ concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy using a Video 12 apparatus. The results show that in patients with essential hypertension total Mg 2+ content in erythrocyte membranes was significantly decreased as compared with the control group (0.28 ± 0.05 v 0.52 ± 0.15 mmol/g membrane protein; mean ± SD, P < .001). Additionally, plasma and free intracellular Mg 2+ content of lymphocytes and platelets showed no significant difference in normotensives and hypertensives. Lowered total membrane Mg 2+ concentrations in a subgroup of primary hypertensives may contribute to the development of this disorder, perhaps due to different buffering or membrane transport systems.
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