Abstract: AIM:To study the relationship between the degree of magnesium concentration in erythrocytes and the frequency of anginal attacks in patients with variant angina. METHODS:21 patients(8 males and 13 females) who were diagnosed as variant angina were randomly divided into Group A(the frequency of anginal attacks ≥4 attacks/week, n =10) and Group B(the frequency of anginal attacks <4 atttacks/week, n =11). The magnesium concentrations in serum, urine and erythrocyte were determined. The 24 h magnesium retention rate was calculated by magnesium loading test. RESULTS:Group A showed a higher 24 h magnesium retention rate (58% ±9% vs 31% ± 4%, P <0. 01) and a lower intracellular concentration of magnesium in erythrocytes than that of group B [(3. 1 ±1. 1) vs (5. 0 ±0. 8) fg/cell, P <0. 05], demonstrating the presence of magnesium deficiency in Group A. The frequency of anginal attacks for these patients was positively correlative with 24 h magnesium retention rate (r =0. 69, P <0. 01) while negatively correlative with the intracellular concentrations of magnesium in erythrocytes (r =-0. 70, P <0. 01). CONCLUSION:The degree of intracellular magnesium in erythrocytes concentration in patients with variant angina is closely related with the of chest pain.

Key words: erythrocyte, magnesium, variant angina, anginal attacks, frequency