Plasma, intracellular and membrane magnesium concentrations and deficiency in cirrhosis of liver due to alcoholism

Patients and methods: In 35 healthy subjects, 24 patients with a steatosis and 19 patients with a cirrhosis of the liver due to chronic alcoholism, plasma and total intracellular and membrane magnesium concentrations were determined. Cellular and membrane magnesium measurements were performed in red blood cells. Magnesium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy using a Video 12 apparatus of Thermo Electron Instrumentation, Andover, USA. Results: In controls and patients with a steatosis there was no significant difference in plasma magnesium concentrations (0.98 ± 0.10 mmol/l versus 0.97 ± 0.15 mol/l). Plasma magnesium concentrations in patients with cirrhosis of liver were measured 0.85 ± 0.12 mmol/l which was significantly decreased as compared to healthy subjects (p < ().()5): nearly all plasma values were within the normal range for magnesium. Intracellular magnesium concentrations were not found of significant difference in controls versus patients with a steatosis due to alcoholism (1.88 ± 0.16 mmol/l versus 1.82 ± 0.22 mmol/l). In drinkers with cirrhosis of liver intracellular magnesium levels were significantly lowered as compared to healthy subjects or to the steatosis patients (1.30 ± 0.25 mmol/l, p < 0.001). In addition, membrane Mg ++ concentrations were found significantly decreased in patients with a steatose (0.35 ± 0.04 mmol/g membrane protein * ) or a cirrhosis of liver (0.16 ± 0.04 mmol/g m. p. ** ) in comparison to healthy subjects (0.53 ± 0.05 mmol/g m.p.) ( * = p < 0.01; ** = p < 0.001). Conclusion: The data presented here show that a cellular and membrane magnesium deficiency may depend on the degree of the liver disease in chronic alcoholism. Furthermore, cellular and membrane magnesium content is a better parameter when determining alterations in magnesium status in alcohol-induced diseases of the liver than plasma magnesium concentrations, which can still remain in the normal range even in severe forms of cirrhosis.