Magnesium, liver content

The residues were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid (0.25 mL, Aristar grade), the voiume was made to 10 mL with water and the zinc and magnesium content measured by flame MS. Liver samples were obtained from patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and from patients undergoing elective surgery who formed a control group. 

Results were expressed as /magnesium ratio. The liver zinc content was significantly reduced in the alcoholic cirrhotic patients whatever convention was used. For example, the controls had a mean value of 266 /ig Zn/g dry weight whereas the patients with liver disease had a mean of 96 fig Zn/g dry weight and this was statistically significant. 

The content of magnesium in the body of an adult is about 25-40 g. This accounts for about 60% of the content of the skeleton. The highest concentrations of magnesium in soft tissues are found in the pancreas, liver and skeletal muscles. Blood and extracellular fluids contain only 1% of the total amount of magnesium in the body. Calcium is quantitatively the major mineral component in the human body. The total amount is about 1500g, with 99% of this being in bones and teeth as calcium phosphate. 

---