[Magnesium salts in physiology and pathology: the potentials for their use in medicine]

This review carries literary data on a biological effect, physiological and pathophysiological significance of magnesium ions for the organism. Diseases of hypo- and hypermagnesemia and mechanisms of regulation of magnesium content in the organism are reviewed in the article. There are cited data on the use of preparations, containing magnesium ions in pathologies of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract; in diabetes mellitus, arrhythmias, hypertensions, ischemias, myocardial infarction and other conditions. There are review data on the use of magnesium-containing mineral bishofit, preparations and balneologic agents on its basis.