THE EFFECTS OF HYPERMAGNESAEMIA ON CALCITONIN SECRETION IN VIVO

Abstract

SUMMARY The influence of magnesium on calcitonin (CT) secretion rate has been studied in pigs by perfusion of porcine thyroid glands, isolated in situ, under controlled conditions of flow rate and blood electrolyte composition. At concentrations of 4·4–12·7 mequiv./l, magnesium stimulated CT secretion in the presence of a normal calcium concentration in the perfusate. The maximum effect was reached at a concentration of about 7 mequiv. Mg/l. At higher magnesium concentrations, the secretion rate of CT tended to revert towards that found with concentrations of calcium and magnesium within the normal range. When hypermagnesaemia was superimposed on hypercalcaemia there was a fall in the secretion rate of CT as the Mg: Ca ratio in the perfusing blood plasma approached 1. The stimulatory effect of hypermagnesaemia was usually less than that caused by an equimolar increase in plasma calcium concentration. The results suggest that changes in plasma magnesium concentration probably do not influence CT secretion under normal conditions.