Ionized magnesium in erythrocytes--the best magnesium parameter to observe hypo- or hypermagnesemia.
BACKGROUND
Almost 99% of the body magnesium is inside cells. The concentration of intracellular ionized magnesium (iMg) is physiologically relevant. iMg in erythrocytes is a new parameter that can help to establish reliable information on the functional magnesium status.


METHODS
iMg concentration in erythrocytes and serum was measured by ion-selective electrode, in clinical analyzer Microlyte (KONE). Total magnesium (tMg) concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Albumin and total protein concentration were measured colorimetrically.


RESULTS
In critically ill postoperative patients, the mean of albumin, protein and hematocrit concentration was significantly lower compared to healthy individuals. Hypomagnesemia was found in 15.9% patients as tMgs, at 22.2% as iMgs and 36.5% as iMge. Significant correlations are between iMgs and tMgs or iMge and iMgs/tMgs. In dialyzed patients, the mean of hematocrit was significantly lower, iMge was significantly higher compared with healthy individuals. Significant negative correlations are between iMgs and tMge or iMge/tMge and tMge.


CONCLUSIONS
iMge is the best magnesium parameter to observe hypo- or hypermagnesemia for both groups of patients. The function of magnesium is mainly intracellular and intracellular magnesium concentrations can be the method to evaluate the magnesium status.
Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University, Pasteura 1, 02093 Warsaw, Poland.
Adam
A
Malon
Christian
C
Brockmann
Jolanta
J
Fijalkowska-Morawska
Peter
P
Rob
Magdalena
M
Maj-Zurawska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D008274:Magnesium