High magnesium or potassium hair accumulation is not associated with ischemic stroke risk reduction: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Various studies suggest that deficiency of magnesium and potassium may be associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. However, single time-point serum measurements may not be suitable for assessing long-term tissue levels.


METHODS
We investigated Mg and K levels in hair of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The elements hair accumulation analysis might provide historical information on their concentrations over a longer period of time and probably reflects the corresponding nutritional condition. The concentrations of Mg and K in hair of 48 men with acute ischemic stroke and a control group were measured using spectroscopic methods.


RESULTS
The mean Mg and K concentrations in hair of patients were significantly higher than in the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis does not seem to confirm the results of the previous studies suggesting that Mg or K high levels (or their diet supplementation) might protect humans against ischemic stroke.
Karaszewski
Bartosz
B
Department of Neurology of Adults, Medical University of Gdansk, Ul. Debinki 7, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. bartkar@wp.pl
Kozera
Grzegorz
G
Dorosz
Agnieszka
A
Łukasiak
Jerzy
J
Szczyrba
Sebastian
S
Łysiak-Szydłowska
Wiesława
W
Nyka
Walenty M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium