Magnesium maintains endothelial integrity, up-regulates proteolysis of ultra-large von Willebrand factor, and reduces platelet aggregation under flow conditions.

Mg (++) regulates endothelial functions and has anti-inflammatory effects. Its effects on thrombosis have been demonstrated, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. We investigated the roles of MgSO(4) in regulating the release and cleavage of the prothrombotic ultra-large (UL) von Willebrand factor (VWF) and VWF-mediated platelet adhesion and aggregation.