Editorial

ARTICLE

Auteur(s) : Jean Durlach

Editor-in-Chief, Magnesium Research 
President, SDRM

This firts 2004 issue testifies to the vitality of research on magnesium originating from several countries.

It includes experimental and clinical studies in biology, cancerology, cardiology, dietetics, epidemiology, internal medicine, nephrology, nutrition, obstetrics, pharmacology, physiology and therapeutics.

1. Three original experimental papers are presented.

M. Nechifor et al. (Iasi, Romania) tested magnesium influence on experimental morphine-induced pharmacodependence in rats. Intra-peritoneal magnesium acetate significantly decreased the symptoms from withdrawal syndrome. It might be possible to decrease the intensity of the withdrawal syndrome from opiate-induced pharmacodependence by parenteral magnesium therapy.

H. Matsuzaki et al. (Tokyo, Japan) analyzed the effects of simultaneous increases in dietary phosphorus and magnesium concentrations (with the same constant P/Mg ratio) on nephrocalcinosis and kidney function in female Wistar rats (control diet, 3-fold diet, 5-fold diet). While the 3-fold diet had no significant influence on kidney function (urinary albumin and β2-microglobulin excretion) and on the development of nephrocalcinosis, the 5-fold diet stimulated the development of nephrocalcinosis with decreased kidney function.

J.-D. Lee et al. (Fukui, Japan) studied the effects of magnesium on prostacyclin synthesis and intracellular free calcium concentration in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rats. Extracellular Mg²⁺([Mg²⁺]e) influences intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilisation in both types of cells by inhibiting both Ca²⁺ influx and intracellular Ca²⁺ release. [Mg²⁺]e enhances prostacyclin (PG I2) production, although the mechanism is likely to be independent from Ca²⁺.

2. Next come three original clinical papers.

M. Kitlinski et al. (Malmö, Sweden) investigated the concentration of magnesium in blood plasma and in lysates of lymphocytes isolated from venous blood in 49 patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome. Plasma magnesium was similar in patients and in controls, but lymphocyte magnesium was significantly lower (p < 0,03) in patients with MVP than in controls. These results suggest that magnesium deficiency may be involved in the mechanisms of the MVP syndrome.

C.Y. Yang et al. (Kaoshiung, Taiwan) investigated the possible association between risk of death from ovarian cancer and the levels of Ca and Mg in drinking water. All eligible ovarian cancer deaths (933 cases) among Taiwan residents, from 1986 through 2000, were compared with a sample of deaths from other causes (933 controls pair matched to the cases by sex, year-of-birth and year-of-death). The levels of Ca and Mg in the drinking water of these residents were subsequantly determined. The adjusted Odd Ratios were 0,71 for the group with Mg levels in drinking water between 7,3 and 13,4 mg/Mg/l and 0,57 for the group with Mg levels of 13,5 mg/liter or more. The adjusted Odd Ratios were not statistically significant for Ca levels. The results of this study might show a significant protective effect of magnesium in drinking water on the risk of ovarian cancer death.

A longitudinal study of M. Rudnicki et al. (Roskilde, Denmark) showed an increased concentration of ionized magnesium in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. This finding may suggest a compensatory mechanism intended to regulate vascular status.

3. One review paper is following next.

A. Tukiendorf et al. (Opole, Poland) report on epidemiological findings concerning a possible relationship between magnesium in drinking water and carcinogenesis in human liver. The lower liver cancer morbidity is observed with a greater magnesium concentration in drinking water. Positive health effects of Mg water supplies on liver cancer might be possible.

4. The abstracts of the last issues of the Journal of the Japanese Society for Magnesium Research and of the Journal of Elementology, the book review of « Magnesium factor » by M.S. Seelig et al., The Calendar of Magnesium Meetings followed by the Forthcoming Contents complete the first 2004 issue of our quarterly international journal « Magnesium Research ».