blood pressure

# Magnesium and Vascular Dysregulation in Glaucoma Glaucoma is a progressive optic nerve disease that leads to vision loss. While high intraocular pressure (IOP) is the best-known risk factor, many patients – especially those with **normal-tension glaucoma (NTG)** – develop glaucoma despite normal IOP ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=Glaucoma%20is%20characterized%20by%20chronic,3)). In NTG, systemic vascular issues are believed to contribute: unstable blood flow, **vasospasm** (sudden vessel constriction), and excessive nighttime blood pressure dips can reduce blood supply to the optic nerve ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=Disturbed%20ocular%20blood%20flow%20and,the%20reduction%20of%20oxidative%20stress)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4386594/#:~:text=Eighty,0.02)). Treatments that stabilize blood flow are therefore of interest in NTG. **Magnesium**, an essential mineral and natural calcium-channel blocker, has emerged as a candidate because it promotes vasodilation and nerve protection ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=that%20improve%20ocular%20blood%20flow,magnesium%20a%20good%20candidate%20for)). ## Magnesium’s Vascular Actions Magnesium influences blood vessels and endothelial function in several ways: - **Calcium antagonism**. Magnesium acts as a *physiologic calcium channel blocker*. It competes with calcium in muscle and blood vessels, causing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation. ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=glaucoma%20,antagonist%2C%20Mg%20also%20has%20a)) In laboratory studies, raising **Mg²⁺** levels inhibits endothelin-1–induced vessel constriction (for example, in porcine ciliary arteries) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=glaucoma%20,antagonist%2C%20Mg%20also%20has%20a)). Because endothelin-1 is a powerful vasoconstrictor implicated in glaucoma, magnesium’s blockade of this pathway can improve perfusion. ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=glaucoma%20,antagonist%2C%20Mg%20also%20has%20a)) - **Endothelial function**. Healthy blood vessels produce relaxing factors like nitric oxide (NO). Magnesium enhances endothelial cell health and NO availability, leading to better blood flow. ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=contraction,76)) Studies in coronary artery disease show that oral magnesium improves *endothelium-dependent vasodilation* ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897098/#:~:text=contraction,76)). By improving the balance of **endothelin-1 vs. nitric oxide**, magnesium can reduce abnormal vasoconstriction and oxidative stress in tiny ocular vessels. - **Vasospasm relief**. Clinically, many NTG patients hav

Magnesium for Vascular Dysregulation in Glaucoma and Aging Circulation

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