31P nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of free erythrocyte magnesium concentration in man and its relation to blood pressure.

1. 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy was used to measure the dissociation constant of MgATP under simulated intracellular conditions and to measure erythrocyte free magnesium concentration. 2. In a group of 40 subjects, the relationship between erythrocyte free magnesium and blood pressure, age and sex was examined by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. 3. A weak positive association was found between erythrocyte free magnesium and mean blood pressure. This association was lost in a multivariate regression analysis including both age and sex. 4. No significant relationship was found between erythrocyte free magnesium and age, sex, family history of hypertension or use of the combined oral contraceptive pill in the sample studied.