SIGNIFICANCE
OF MAGNESIUM
Next to potassium, magnesium is the most abundant intracellular cation.
It acts as an activator for many intracellular enzyme sys-tems and plays a role
in both carbohydrate and protein metabo-lism. Magnesium balance is important in
neuromuscular function. Because magnesium acts directly on the myoneural
junction, variations in the serum concentration of magnesium affect
neuro-muscular irritability and contractility. For example, an excess of
magnesium diminishes the excitability of the muscle cells, whereas a deficit
increases neuromuscular irritability and contractility.
Magnesium produces its sedative effect at the neuromuscular junction,
probably by inhibiting the release of the neurotrans-mitter acetylcholine. It
also increases the stimulus threshold in nerve fibers.
Magnesium exerts effects on the cardiovascular system, acting
peripherally to produce vasodilation. Magnesium is thought to have a direct
effect on peripheral arteries and arterioles, which re-sults in a decreased
total peripheral resistance. Magnesium disor-ders include hypomagnesemia and
hypermagnesemia.
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