role of magnesium [Mg] in essential hypertension

ABSTRACT

The effect of Mg supplementation on blood pressure, the interaction between Mg and other electrolytes as Na, K and Ca, the interaction between Mg and serum lipids and plasma renin activity [PRA] were evaluated in 44 male patients with mild to-moderate essential hypertension.Patients were classified into 2 groups; group I 11 male patients discovered to be hypertensive for the first time, group II 33 male hypertensive patients on regular treatment for at least the last 6 months. Control group included 20 normal male subjects age matched. Mg supplementation in the form of Mg chloride capsules in a dose of 210 mg/d were given to all patients for 4 weeks. Measurements of pulse and BP and estimations of Mg, Na, K, Ca, TG, T. cholest., HDL-C, LDL-C and PRA were done before and after Mg supplementalion. The results revealed that all patients were significantly hypomagnesemic in comparison with the controls and after Mg supplementation their serum Mg concentration became significantly higher and their systolic BP [SBP] and diastolic DBP became significantly lower. Mg supplementation led to a significant increase in total serum Ca, but no significant effect on other electrolytes. Besides increased serum concentration of TG, T.cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C indicative of hyperlipidemia that may be attributed to alteration in lipoprotein metabolism, further studies are necessary to clarify this effect. The role of Mg supplementation in hypomagnemic patients with essential hypertension is interpreted in the text