[Effects of glucocorticoid therapy on mineral metabolism indicators in patients with bronchial asthma].

Magnesium and calcium levels in the serum, red cells, lymphocytes, circadian urine and exhaled air condensate were measured in 40 patients with hormone-dependent bronchial asthma (BA) and 15 BA patients receiving glucocorticoids in inhalations (beclamete, becotide) and injections (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexasone). Nuclear absorption spectrophotometry (AAC-508, Hitachi, Japan) and selective ionometry (Mycrolyte, Kone, Finland) were employed. Short-term (10-14 days) intravenous infusions and inhalations of steroids in medium therapeutic doses do not change much homeostasis of two-valent cations. Complications resultant from disturbance of mineral metabolism developed more frequently in BA patients on long-term (4 years more longer) oral glucocorticoids. Increased renal and bronchial excretion of magnesium and calcium in patients with hormone-dependent BA having complications of glucocorticoid therapy suggests that derangement of mineral metabolism is involved in the onset of steroid osteopathy and myopathy.