Serum and erythrocyte levels of magnesium in microcytosis: comparison between heterozygous beta-thalassemia and sideropenic anemia.

Abstract

In thalassemia erythrocyte cation permeability is increased, but the increment in ATPase-dependent cation pumps maintains normal concentrations of Ca++, Na+ and K+. In this study we investigated erythrocyte concentrations of Mg++ in heterozygous beta-thalassemia and in microcytic sideropenic anemia. Twenty-five healthy controls, 40 heterozygous beta-thalassemics and 25 patients with sideropenic anemia were studied. Erythrocyte Mg++ was assayed either by atomic absorption or by standard laboratory methods. Erythrocyte Mg++ was significantly lower in the beta-thalassemia group than in the other two groups (p less than 0.001). Serum magnesium was significantly lower in sideropenic anemia patients than in beta-thalassemics and in controls (p less than 0.01), whereas these latter two groups showed similar values. Our results suggest that the increment in ATPase-dependent cation pumps is not sufficient to maintain normal erythrocyte Mg++ concentrations in heterozygous beta-thalassemia. In sideropenic anemia cation permeability is not increased, therefore erythrocyte Mg++ is normal. Low serum Mg++ levels in sideropenic anemia could be explained by a primary Mg++ deficit associated with sideropenia.

• Authors: V Abbasciano, G Bader, L Graziano, D Mazzotta, G Vecchiatti, C Guglielmini, S Sartori
• Journal: Haematologica (Haematologica) 1991 Jul-Aug Vol. 76 Issue 4 Pg. 339-41 ISSN: 0390-6078 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 1665466 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ion Pumps
• Magnesium

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anemia, Hypochromic (blood, etiology)
• Cell Membrane Permeability
• Erythrocyte Membrane (metabolism)
• Erythrocytes, Abnormal (chemistry)
• Female
• Hemorrhage (complications)
• Heterozygote
• Humans
• Ion Pumps
• Magnesium (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Thalassemia (blood, genetics)