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Mg 2+ modulates membrane lipids in vascular smooth muscle: a link to atherogenesis
Author(s) -
Morrill Gene A,
Gupta Raj K,
Kostellow Adele B,
Ma Gui-Ying,
Zhang Amin,
Altura Bella T,
Altura Burton M
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)00420-1
Subject(s) - chemistry , fatty acid , double bond , medicine , pathophysiology , vascular smooth muscle , endocrinology , biochemistry , biology , smooth muscle , polymer chemistry
Epidemiological studies associate low dietary magnesium intake with an increased incidence of ischemic heart disease and sudden cardiac death. We have used proton‐magnetic resonance ( 1 H‐NMR) techniques and Mg 2+ ‐selective electrodes to monitor changes in lipid extracts of aortic and cerebrovascular smooth muscle as extracellular ionized magnesium ion concentration ([Mg 2+ ] o ) is lowered. We have found that, within the pathophysiological range of Mg 2+ concentrations, fatty acid chain length and double bond content are progressively reduced as [Mg 2+ ] o is lowered. In contrast, the plasmalogen content is progressively increased. A concomitant decrease in fatty acid chain length and double bonds indicates oxidation of double bonds resulting in truncation of the fatty acids. A decrease in lipid oxidation in the presence of elevated Mg 2+ could contribute to the apparent protective role of increased Mg 2+ intake on vascular function in humans.