[Magnesium. New perspectives]

We reviewed the literature on the Mg++ cation with special attention on the clinico-therapeutical, physiopathogenic, and biochemical aspects. We extended the survey to some pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, given our understanding that a deficiency of this ion may constitute a primary cardiovascular risk factor. The dissociation present between the levels of intracellular and serum Mg++ is shown, since it may invalidate results that follow. We place special emphasis on the necessity to treat certain pathologies with magnesium salts and to quantify, with successive studies, the amount to administer.