Effect of magnesium deficiency on 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in cultured human umbilical arterial endothelial cells.

Effects of magnesium deficiency on the production of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and cytosolic free calcium concentration in human umbilical arterial endothelial cells were studied by radioimmunoassay. 15-HETE release by endothelial cells incubated with normal magnesium media (900 microM Mg2+) for 24 h was 2.2 +/- 0.3 ng/mg protein. 15-HETE release gradually increased in proportion to decrease of magnesium. Low magnesium media (180 microM Mg2+) caused an increase in 15-HETE release in a time-dependent manner. Cytosolic free calcium concentration of endothelial cells in normal magnesium media fluctuated between 129.4 nM and 134.2 nM during a 24 h period. Low magnesium media (180 microM Mg2+) caused a time-dependent rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration which is consistent with a time-dependent increase in H-HETE release. High magnesium medium (1800 microM Mg2+) did not have any effect on cytosolic free calcium concentration or 15-HETE production. In conclusion, 15-HETE release by endothelial cells was stimulated by increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by magnesium deficient media. It is suggested that magnesium deficiency induces atherosclerosis via increase in 15-HETE production.