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Abstract
Alterations in intracellular cation metabolism have been implicated in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Total magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium levels were studied in serum erythrocytes and platelets, from 154 subjects (76 hypertensive and 78 normotensives; 104 blacks and 50 whites). In the combined black and white hypertensive group, platelet sodium and calcium and erythrocyte calcium were elevated and serum potassium, serum magnesium and platelet magnesium decreased. In the black hypertensive patients, platelet sodium and calcium and erythrocyte calcium were increased, whereas serum magnesium, serum potassium, platelet magnesium and erythrocyte magnesium were decreased. In the white hypertensive group, platelet sodium and erythrocyte calcium were raised and platelet magnesium was decreased. In the black hypertensive patients, serum and platelet magnesium and serum calcium were negatively and erythrocyte and platelet calcium positively correlated with mean arterial pressure. In the white hypertensive patients platelet sodium was directly related to mean arterial pressure. These results suggest that intracellular sodium and calcium overload and magnesium depletion may be important in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Magnesium disturbances are more consistent and widespread in black hypertensive patients than in white hypertensive patients.