TITLE:
Magnesium: The Neglected Electrolyte? A Clinical Review
AUTHORS:
Pranev Sharma, Christine Chung, Marcela Vizcaychipi
KEYWORDS:
Magnesium, Pharmacology, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Physiology, Arrhythmias, Eclampsia, Pre-Eclampsia, Phaeochromocytoma
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.7,
June
30,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Magnesium, Mg2+, is the second most abundant
intracellular cation after potassium and the fourth most abundant in the body. It
was first isolated in 1808 by the English chemist, Sir Humphrey Davy. Magnesium
is essential to numerous biochemical reactions. It modulates key physiological
processes such as metabolic biochemistry, nucleic
acid synthesis, receptor-binding and ion flux. The western diet falls short of
the recommended daily allowance of 4.5 mg/Kg/day and important dietary sources
are seeds, grains, nuts and green vegetables. It is used as a therapeutic agent
in a broad range of pathologies: neurological,
cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and obstetric.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of magnesium, as a drug, are not well
understood. Despite its fundamental importance to
human physiology, it remains an electrolyte that is not routinely measured as
part of the “urea & electrolytes” test and is the most overlooked electrolyte
deficiency in hospital inpatients. This review will summarise the importance of
magnesium homeostasis, its pharmacological effects and clinical applications.