Magnesium deficiency potentiates free radical production associated with myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative injury and magnesium deficiency may accompany cardiovascular disease states and the study was planned to find out whether magnesium deficiency promotes oxidative injury. METHODS: Serum malonaldehyde (MDA), magnesium, vitamin E and total glutathione levels (GSH) were estimated in 22 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: Low levels of Mg, GSH, vitamin E and elevated levels of MDA were observed in patients of acute myocardial infarction. Statistically significant correlations were observed between Mg and MDA, MDA and GSH, Mg and vitamin E. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Mg deficiency can potentiate oxidative injury to post ischaemic myocardium and that antioxidants may have a role in protection against the prooxidant influence(s) of Mg deficiency.