Decreased magnesium level and membrane potential of glaucoma patients
Abstract: One of the most
important sight-threatening eye disorders in ophthalmology is glaucoma.
Together with age related macular degeneration it is the most common cause of
irreversible blindness. Magnesium (Mg) is considered to improve the ocular
blood flow in glaucoma patients and could protect the retinal ganglion cell
against oxidative stress. Membrane potential refers to the difference in
electrical potential between the intracellular and the extracellular of a
biological cell. The objective of this study was to determine the Mg serum
level and membrane potential in glucoma subjects.
A case-control study was conducted in eighty confirmed glaucoma patients
and eighty normal subjects between 50 to75 years were selected. The serum
sodium, potassium and calcium were estimated using Randox Kit. While membrane
potential was determined by calculation using Nerst Equation. Magnesium levels
were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique. An
independent t-test was used to analyze the data.
The results obtained showed that the level of Magnesium serum (1.11 ±
0.14 mg/dL) and membrane potential (176.40 ± 42.00 J) was significantly
decreased in glaucoma as compared to the controls (2.4 ± 0.68 mg/dL) and
(251.76 ± 191.99) (p<0.05). The serum sodium, potassium and calcium were
also significantly decreased among glaucoma subjects compared to control
(p<0.005).
The result probably suggests, that decrease in magnesium aggravates
glaucoma while decrease in membrane potential could cause poor energy
transmission and hence affect ocular blood flow. Hence, decreased magnesium and
membrane potential levels contributes greatly to glaucoma.
Author: Johnkennedy Nnodim,
Obioma Elemba JE, Nwadike Constance, Edward Ukamaka, Njoku-Obi Treasure, Jimoh
Raifu Folorunso, Nsonwu Magnus
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160067