Correlation between serum magnesium and blood cyclosporine A concentrations in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Background Low total serum magnesium concentration has been reported in renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine therapy, and this is a risk factor for hypertension and cardiac death. No study is yet available from the Indian subcontinent on the relationship between total serum magnesium and cyclosporine A concentration. Methods Blood cyclosporine A and total serum magnesium concentrations were estimated in 31 post renal transplant patients. Sixteen chronic renal failure patients who had not yet received a transplant served as controls. Results The mean total serum magnesium in post-transplant patients was 0·64± 0·11 mmol/L (n = 31), which was significantly lower (P < 0·001) than in the controls (1·0± 0·16 mmol/L). An inverse correlation was found between total serum magnesium and blood cyclosporine A concentration (r = -0·532). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also higher in the cyclosporine-treated patients. Conclusions We conclude that serum magnesium should be monitored regularly in patients receiving cyclosporine A.