Comparison of magnesium in human lymphocytes and mononuclear blood cells

The population of mononuclear blood cells (MBCs) separated by a discontinuous gradient from healthy normal volunteers consists of lymphocytes (L), monocytes (M) and relatively few granulocytes (G). We attempted to remove the phagocytic cells (M and G) by pretreatment of the blood with carbonyl iron particles (CIP). In 50 volunteers (21 males and 29 females, ages 17-75, mean 33.3 years), we determined the content and concentration of Mg in MBCs before and after pretreatment with CIP. The results (mean +/- SEM) show a significant decrease in the MBC Mg content (from 3.12 +/- 0.08 to 2.39 +/- 0.05 fmol/cell; p less than 0.0001), concentration (from 10.4 +/- 0.2 to 9.6 +/- 0.3 mmol/l; p less than 0.004) and M percentage (from 14.5 +/- 1.0 to 1.0 +/- 0.2%; p less than 0.0001) after CIP pretreatment. The L percentage significantly increased from 81.6 +/- 1.0 to 96.1 +/- 0.2% (p less than 0.0001) after CIP pretreatment. These date suggest that M have both a larger content and concentration of Mg than L.