Correlation of divalent cat ions (Ca++, Mg++) and serum renin in pateints of essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum status of Divalent Cat ions (Ca++ and Mg++) in hypertensive subjects along with correlation of Cat ions with serum Renin in all subjects.
METHODS: Conducted at the Biochemistry Department of the Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, the case control study comprised 75 subjects. Of the total, 40 were patients of essential hypertension while 35 were normal healthy subjects. The serum level of Divalent Cat ions was measured by spectrometry, Renin by RIA, and other biochemical parameters such as glucose, urea and creatinine were estimated by chemical methods.
RESULTS: Serum calcium was significantly high (p < 0.001) while magnesium was significantly low (p < 0.001) in the hypertensives. Similarly, calcium had significant positive correlation (r value 0.576 and 0.593) while magnesium had significant negative correlation (r value -0.746 and -0.743) with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The glucose, urea and creatinine were observed to be insignificant when compared to normotensive subjects. In addition, Renin has a positive correlation (r value 0.559 and 0.444) with systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively.
CONCLUSION: Elevated calcium and depressed magnesium are linked with hypertension, while among the hypertensives, Renin levels need to be closely observed.