CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM CONTENT OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents were measured and compared among three different malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) diagnostic groups. No difference was found among mean values for Ca2+ content, whereas Mg2+ content was greater in MHS muscle. Variance of measured values was unequal and greatest among MHS muscles, suggesting a possible abnormal distribution associated with MHS. Although more muscle fibres with Ca2+ less than or equal to 12 mumol g-1 were observed in MHS muscle, this difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, non-parametric analysis showed that the population of Mg2+ values was significantly greater in the MHS muscle. This study suggests that the distribution of Ca2+ and Mg2+ values is different in MHS muscle as a result of unknown genetic factors associated with the disease.
To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Lopez et al.1 They compared the effects of AMG 641 with calcitriol (CT) or paricalcitol (PC) alone, and the combination of the calcimimetic with either CT or PC. We have really found the paper interesting, but would like to raise some points of discussion.