Our laboratory is addressing several important etiological and treatment issues in stroke and other vascular-related disease processes: stroke mechanisms, mechanisms of vascular-based processes in headache, and diabetes mellitus. In addition, I am interested in the role of steroid hormones on Mg²⁺.

In order to understand the roles of Mg²⁺ in these disease processes, animal models, isolated organs and tissues, tissue culture, and human subjects are employed in our studies. Design and use of Mg²⁺ ion-selective electrodes has enabled us to more precisely assess the role and importance of magnesium ions and dietary intake of this vital mineral in etiology of disease processes. Cell culture techniques have enabled us to gain insight into the potential, putative signaling pathways that Mg²⁺ control.

Selected Publications

Altura, B. T., Shirey, T. L., Young, C. C., Dell'Orfano, K., Hiti, J., Welch, R., Yeh, Q., Barbour, R. L., and Altura, B. M. (1994). Characterization of a new ion-selective electrode for ionized magnesium in whole blood, plasma, serum and aqueous samples. Scand. J. Clin. Lab Invest. 54 (Suppl. 217), 21-36.

Altura, B. T., and Altura, B. M. (1994). A method for distinguishing ionized, complexed and protein-bound Mg in normal and diseased subjects. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 54 (Suppl. 217), 83-88.

Mauskop, A., Altura, B. T., Cracco, R. Q., and Altura, B. M. (1995). Intravenous magnesium sulfate relieves migraine attacks in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels: A pilot study. Clini Sci. 89, 633-636.

Altura, B. T., Memon, Z. S., Zhang, A., Cheng, T. P. O., Silverman, R., Cracco, R. Q., and Altura, B. M. (1997). Low levels of serum ionized magnesium are found in stroke patients early after stroke which results in rapid elevation in cytosolic free calcium and spasm in cerebral vascular muscle cells. Neurosci. Lett. 230, 37-40.

Muneyyrici-Delale, O., Nacharajce, V. L., Altura, B. M., and Altura, B. T. (1998). Sex steroid hormones modulate serum ionized magnesium and calcium levels throughout the menstrual cycle in women. Fertil. Ster. 69, 958-962.

Personnel

Tao Zheng, M.D., Research Associate

Service Functions

Reviewer for various journals and funding organizations