Quantification of Erythrocyte Magnesium and Potassium Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract

A simple, relatively rapid and reliable atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of both erythrocyte magnesium (Mg²⁺) and potassium (K⁺) concentrations in a single dilution of the lysate sample. The separated erythrocytes were washed with cold isotonic lithium nitrate solution to remove trapped plasma, white blood cells and platelets as completely as possible. The washed red cells were lysed by diluting with 10 mM hydrochloric acid (1:25), and analyzed for Mg²⁺ and K⁺ contents. Results obtained for Mg²⁺ was 2.33 ± 0.17 mmol/liter packed cells, n=675, and for K⁺ 90.82 ± 5.88 mmol/liter packed cells, n=675. The coefficients of variation for both were < 8 %. Values obtained by the proposed method were not significantly different from those obtained by other published methods (P > 0.05).

Key Words:

• erythrocytes
• magnesium
• potassium
• Mg²⁺
• K⁺
• atomic absorption spectrophotometry