Changes in erythrocyte contents of potassium, sodium and magnesium and Na, K-pump activity after the administration of potassium and magnesium salts.

Low potassium and magnesium status and decreased Na, K-pump activity is an endemic condition among rural Northeast Thais. The authors examined the effect of supplementing potassium and magnesium on erythrocyte potassium, sodium and magnesium content and on Na, K-pump activity. Rural Northeast Thai renal stone patients (62) were recruited, divided into four groups and supplemented for one month with potassium chloride (Group1, n = 16), potassium-sodium citrate (Group2, n = 15), chelated magnesium (Group 3, n =16) and potassium-magnesium citrate (Group 4, n =15) in order to achieve 40 mmol potassium, 10 mmol magnesium and 60 mmol citrate daily. After supplementation with potassium (Groups 1, 2 and 4), plasma potassium and Na, K-pump activity rose significantly in Groups 1, 2 and 4, but erythrocyte potassium rose only in Groups 2 and 4. When supplementing elemental magnesium (Groups 3 and 4), the chelated magnesium caused a significant increase in plasma potassium, erythrocyte potassium, sodium and magnesium without a significant increase in Na, K-pump activity. By contrast, potassium-magnesium citrate caused a significant increase in erythrocyte potassium and magnesium and Na, K-pump activity, but depressed erythrocyte sodium. These results suggest the forms of potassium and /or magnesium salts being supplemented should be considered because they affect erythrocyte potassium, sodium and magnesium content and Na, K-pump activity differently.