Plasma and membrane Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Changes in intracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, whereas the role of cell membranes has not been studied in detail yet. To investigate the changes in Ca2+ and Mg2+ metabolism in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia, plasma and membrane Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were determined in a clinical study as compared to healthy subjects.


METHODS
25 healthy female subjects, 22 untreated healthy pregnant and 20 preeclamptic women were investigated. In each patient, plasma and membrane Ca2+ and Mg2+ content were measured. Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Erythrocyte membranes were chosen for membranous Ca2+ and Mg2+ determination.


RESULTS
Plasma Mg2+ concentrations were significantly lowered in the healthy pregnant group and the preeclamptic group as compared to controls (p < 0.0001). In erythrocyte membranes, Mg2+ content was found significantly decreased in the preeclamptic women as compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). In plasma Ca2+ concentrations there was a significant decrease in the preeclamptic group as compared to controls or healthy pregnant women (p < 0.05). Membranous Ca2+ content was significantly increased in the preeclamptic group versus controls or healthy pregnant women (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Lowered plasma and membrane Mg2+ concentrations in preeclampsia may contribute to the development of hypertension in pregnancy. Additionally, a disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis is observed in preeclampsia.
Kisters
K
K
Medical University Policlinic, University of Münster, Bochum, Germany.
Körner
J
J
Louwen
F
F
Witteler
R
R
Jackisch
C
C
Zidek
W
W
Ott
S
S
Westermann
G
G
Barenbrock
M
M
Rahn
K H
KH
D001794:Blood Pressure; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium