The role of magnesium in edema and blood brain barrier
disruption

Mehmet Kaya, Bulent Ahishali Departments of Physiology and of Histology and Embryology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa 34093 Istanbul, Turkey.

Abstract:

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is constituted primarily of brain capillary endothelial cells and is a prerequisite for the maintenance of brain homeostasis that is essential for optimal brain function. However, a variety of pathological conditions, such as sepsis, multiple sclerosis and epilepsia disrupt the BBB integrity and lead to the development of brain edema. lonized magnesium (Mg2+) is a crucial cofactor that plays an essential role within the cell and regulates a variety of biochemical reactions. Changes in intra- and extracellular Mg2+ concentrations influence the functions of cells and tissues. A growing body of evidence suggests that Mg2+ plays a pivotal role in ameliorating BBB disruption via a number of mechanisms during certain neurological diseases. Systemic delivery of Mg2+ may constitute an alternative approach in the future, both to improve BBB integrity and to decrease brain edema in the course of a variety of diseases involving brain tissue.

learn more/full paper: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/press/titles/magnesium/magnesium-ebook.pdf page 135