Magnesium, Aging, and the Elderly Patient

Magnesium, beyond any doubt, plays an important role in metabolism. Alterations of magnesium levels have an impact on many organs and systems, especially during aging. We had 156 participants aged 60–93 years (average 74.7 years) in our survey. Of them, 49 were men and 107 were women. Treatment with loop diuretics (Furosemid and Bumetanide) and magnesium levels was correlated, as well as the influence of magnesium levels on life span. Serum magnesium levels were measured in patients receiving diuretics and in the control group. Also, magnesium levels were measured in patients who passed away in the course of their disease and were compared with the control group. Magnesium levels in the diuretic group (100 patients) were 0.93 ± 0.094 mmol/l, while the average levels in the control group of 56 patients were 0.89 ± 0.075 mmol/l. In 29 patients who passed away, average magnesium levels were 0.92 ± 0.078 mmol/l, while in the control group (127 patients), magnesium levels were 0.93 ± 0.083 mmol/l. The differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in serum magnesium of the elderly persons investigated regarding age group, gender, or type of diuretics. If methods of determining ionizing magnesium in serum or intracellular magnesium are not available, normal magnesium values in the serum are to be taken with a qualified acceptance

High dose of ethanol decreases total spectral power density in seizures induced by D,L-homocysteine thiolactone in adult rats

The effects of ethanol on epilepsy are very complex. Ethanol can have depressant as well as excitatory effect on different animal models of epilepsy. Systemic administration of homocysteine can trigger seizures. The aim of the present study was to examine the changes of total spectral power density after ethanol alone and together with homocysteine thiolactone in adult rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into following groups: I. saline-injected, (control) C; 2. D, L-homocysteine thiolactone, H (8 mmol/kg); 3. ethanol, E (E(0.5), 0.5 g/kg; E(1), 1 g/kg; E(2), 2 g/kg) and 4. E (E(0.5), E(1), and E(2)) 30 min prior to H, EH (E(0.5)H, E(1)H and E(2)H). For EEG recordings three gold-plated screws were implanted into the skull. Our results demonstrate that ethanol, when applied alone, increased total EEG spectral power density of adult rats with a marked spectrum shift toward low frequency waves. In EH groups, increasing doses of ethanol exhibited a dose-dependent effect upon spectral power density. Ethanol increased EEG spectral power density in E(0.5)H and E(1)H group, comparing to the H group (p GT 0.05), the maximal increase was recorded with the lowest ethanol dose applied. The highest dose of ethanol (E(2)H) significantly decreased total power spectra density, comparing to the H group. We can conclude that high doses of ethanol depressed marked increase in EEG power spectrum induced by D,L-homocysteine thiolactone