Effects of alcohol on plasma and intracellular magnesium status in patients with steatosis or cirrhosis of the liver

Plasma and total intracellular magnesium concentrations were determined in 30 healthy subjects, 19 patients with steatosis and 14 patients with a cirrhosis of the liver due to chronic alcoholism. Cellular measurements were performed in red blood cells. Magnesium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. There was no significant difference in plasma magnesium concentrations (0.98 +/- 0.12 mmol L-1 versus 0.98 +/- 0.18 mol L-1). The plasma magnesium concentration in patients with cirrhosis of liver was 0.85 +/- 0.22 mmol L-1 significantly lower than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05); nearly all plasma values were within the normal range for magnesium. Intracellular magnesium concentrations did not differ significantly in controls and patients with steatosis due to alcoholism (1.86 +/- 0.14 mmol L-1 versus 1.83 +/- 0.24 mmol L-1). In drinkers with cirrhosis of liver intracellular magnesium levels were significantly low as compared to those in healthy subjects and in steatosis patients (1.31 +/- 0.23 mmol L-1, p < 0.001). These data show that a cellular magnesium deficiency depends on the degree of liver disease in chronic alcoholism. Furthermore, cellular magnesium content is a more reliable parameter, when determining alterations in magnesium status in alcohol-induced diseases of the liver, than plasma magnesium concentrations. These can remain in the normal range even in severe forms of cirrhosis.