Impaired insulin-mediated erythrocyte magnesium accumulation in essential hypertension

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Abstract
This study was designed to investigate variations in erythrocyte magnesium in the presence of insulin (0.1 unit/l) in hypertensive subjects. Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels were found to be significantly lower in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. The impaired response to insulin (0.1 units/l) of erythrocytes from hypertensive patients was not reversed by elevated extracellular Mg2+ (3.6 mmol/l). Erythrocytes of hypertensive subjects showed an increased membrane microviscosity compared with normotensive subjects. Lidocaine decreased erythrocyte membrane microviscosity and increased erythrocyte magnesium levels in the presence of insulin.