Magnesium deficiency potentiates free radical production associated with myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE

Oxidative injury and magnesium deficiency may accompany cardiovascular disease states and the study was planned to find out whether magnesium deficiency promotes oxidative injury.

METHODS

Serum malonaldehyde (MDA), magnesium, vitamin E and total glutathione levels (GSH) were estimated in 22 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 15 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Low levels of Mg, GSH, vitamin E and elevated levels of MDA were observed in patients of acute myocardial infarction. Statistically significant correlations were observed between Mg and MDA, MDA and GSH, Mg and vitamin E.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that Mg deficiency can potentiate oxidative injury to post ischaemic myocardium and that antioxidants may have a role in protection against the prooxidant influence(s) of Mg deficiency.