Beneficial antithrombotic effects of the association of pharmacological oral magnesium therapy with aspirin in coronary heart disease patients

Michael Shechter*, C. Noel Bairey Merz, Maura Paul-Labrador, Simcha R. Meisel, Robert K. Rude, Mia D. Molloy, James H. Dwyer, Prediman K. Shah, Sanjay Kaul

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of magnesium in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction remains controversial despite preliminary experimental evidence that magnesium plays a beneficial role as a regulator of thrombosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether oral magnesium treatment inhibits platelet-dependent thrombosis (PDT) in stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In a randomized prospective, double-blind, cross-over and placebo controlled study, 42 patients with stable CAD (37 men, 5 women, mean age 68±9 years) on aspirin received either magnesium oxide tablets (800-1.200 mg/day) or placebo for 3 months (Phase 1) followed by a 4-week washout period, and the cross-over treatment for 3 months (Phase 2). PDT, platelet aggregation, platelet P-selectin flow-cytometry, monocyte tissue factor procoagulant activity (TF-PCA) and adhesion molecules density were assessed before and after each phase. PDT was evaluated by an ex-vivo perfusion model using the Badimon chamber. Median PDT was significantly reduced by 35 percent in patients who received magnesium versus placebo (D change from baseline: -24 us. 26 μm2/mm; p = 0.02, respectively). There was no significant effect of magnesium treatment on platelet aggregation, Pselectin expression, monocyte TF-PCA or adhesion molecules. Oral magnesium treatment inhibits PDT in patients with stable CAD. This effect appears to be independent of platelet aggregation or P-selectin expression, and is evident despite aspirin therapy. These findings suggest a potential mechanism whereby magnesium may beneficially alter outcomes in patients with CAD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-284
Number of pages10
JournalMagnesium Research
Volume13
Issue number4
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coronary disease
  • Magnesium
  • Monocytes
  • Platelets
  • Thrombosis
  • Tissue factor

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