Search

Serum magnesium levels, as well as magnesium content of red blood cells and peripheral mononuclear cells, were examined in 31 pregnant women in their third trimester. Ten were preeclamptic; chronic hypertension was found in 10, and 11 were normotensive. Magnesium serum levels were 1.2 +/- 0.1, 1.2 +/- 0.1 and 1.3 +/- 0.1 mEq/l in the normotensives, chronic hypertensives and preeclamptics, respectively. Red blood cell magnesium concentration was 3.4 +/- 0.4, 3.7 +/- 0.7 and 3.5 +/- 0.5 mEq/l, and mononuclear magnesium content was 37.9 +/- 30.6, 27.6 +/- 15.9 and 30.2 +/- 25.7 fg/cell in the same groups, respectively. These changes were not statistically significant. The results do not support the hypothesis that magnesium deficiency is involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

The following study was conducted to assess the biochemical and nutritional status of new military recruits during 12 weeks of strenuous physical activity. Calorie and magnesium (Mg) intake, energy expenditure, and serum, red blood cell (RBC) and mononuclear cell (MNC) Mg were assessed at the start, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks of training. The results provide evidence that MNC Mg content decreases, whereas serum Mg increases, under prolonged, strenuous training conditions in previously unconditioned military recruits. Mg dietary intake alone could not account for these changes. It is postulated that this decrease in MNC Mg (from 64.76 +/- 34.99 to 23.81 +/- 15.55 fg/cell), unparalleled by similar changes in serum Mg or RBC Mg, reflects a reduction in exchangeable Mg body stores, and the onset of a Mg deficiency state.