title: Effect of magnesium infusion on bleeding time in healthy male volunteers.
abstract: Intravenous magnesium has proved to be valuable in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and eclampsia, but the specific mode of action is not established. In this study the effect of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) infusion on bleeding time and endogenous prostacyclin (PGI2) production in healthy male volunteers was investigated. Thirty-five males (age 18-30 years) randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study were investigated. MgSO4 was given as a bolus (8 mmol, 12 min) followed by continuous infusion (8 mmol in 108 ml saline, 120 min). Control was equal volumes of physiological saline. Heart rate, blood pressure and bleeding time (according to Ivy) were recorded as well as blood concentrations of magnesium and creatinine. Urine PGI2 was analysed as the stable metabolite 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha). Treatment with MgSO4 did not affect bleeding time (MgSO4; 8.4+/-3.5 vs. control 8.0+/-2.7 min) nor the production of PGI2 (MgSO4; 1.2 microg 6-keto-PGF1alpha/g creatinine vs. control; 1.1 microg 6-keto-PGF1alpha/g creatinine). Intravenous infusion of MgSO4 does not affect the PGI2/platelet axis in healthy male volunteers. Studies in patients with endothelium dysfunction and/or concomitant drug therapy are required before the anti-thrombogenic effect of MgSO4 in vivo is discarded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. Geir.Falck@medisin.ntnu.no
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lundgaard
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jareld
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skarra
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arbo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunnes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jynge
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000652:urine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001760:Bleeding Time; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D011464:Epoprostenol