These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: New perspectives on the role of magnesium in the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. II. Experimental aspects.
    Author: Altura BM, Altura BT.
    Journal: Magnesium; 1985; 4(5-6):245-71. PubMed ID: 3914581.
    Abstract:
    It has generally been believed that the physiological roles for magnesium ions (Mg2+) in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle are limited to regulation of contractile proteins, sarcoplasmic reticular membrane transport of calcium ions (Ca2+), cofactor in ATPase activities and metabolic regulation of energy-dependent cytoplasmic and mitochondrial pathways. In addition, up until recently, it was not thought that small changes in free external ([Mg2+]0) or cytoplasmic Mg2+ could exert any significant effects on cardiac or vascular smooth muscle contractility. It is clear, however, from the newer studies that [Mg2+]0 can affect tension and contractility of these muscle cells by altering membrane and intracellular organelle binding and transport of Ca2+, affecting hormone-receptor interactions, regulating electrolyte content and transport, affecting resting membrane-generated and action potentials, altering excitation-contraction coupling events, and regulate peripheral and cerebral vascular tone and blood flow. In addition, it is also now clear that small changes of free [Mg2+] at the cardiac and vascular muscle membranes can exert significant effects on mechanical and electrical activities of these cells. Considerable new data lend support to the idea that [Mg2+]0 is fundamental in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. Dietary, metabolic or drug-induced changes in Mg2+ levels appear to play important roles in the etiology of cardiac and vascular disorders. Evidence is reviewed and presented to indicate that Mg2+ is important in the pathophysiology and treatment of certain forms of experimental and genetic types of hypertension. This divalent cation may also be important in the etiology of a variety of disorders which have vasospasm in common. Evidence is reviewed to support the concept that Mg2+ is a naturally occurring or mimic weak Ca2+ antagonist, which should be useful in the treatment of several types of cardiac and vascular disorders.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]