Oral Magnesium Supplementation and Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation in the improvement of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that enrolled 198 individuals with MetS and hypomagnesemia who were randomly allocated to receive either 30 mL of magnesium chloride 5% solution, equivalent to 382 mg of elemental magnesium (n = 100), or placebo solution (n = 98), daily for 16 weeks. Serum magnesium levels <1.8 mg/dL defined hypomagnesemia. At final conditions, a total of 48 (48%) and 76 (77.5%) individuals had MetS in the magnesium and placebo groups (P = 0.01), respectively. At baseline, percent of individuals with 3, 4, and 5 criteria of MetS in the magnesium group were 60.0%, 37.0%, and 3.0%, respectively, and in the control group 55.1%, 35.7%, and 9.2%, respectively. Between basal and final conditions, changes in the components of MetS were significantly higher in the magnesium than placebo groups: -3.6 ± 3.3 mmHg, P = 0.001 for systolic blood pressure; -5.5 ± 1.7 mmHg, P = 0.005 for diastolic blood pressure; -12.4 ± 3.6 mg/dL, P < 0.005 for fasting glucose; -61.2 ± 24 mg/dL, P = 0.003 for triglycerides; and 0.9 ± 0.4 mg/dL, P = 0.06 for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Magnesium supplementation improves MetS by reducing blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.

Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on the transcription of TRPM6, TRPM7, and SLC41A1 in individuals newly diagnosed of pre-hypertension. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

A stringent regulation of influx and efflux of magnesium by cation transporters seems to play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). With this regard, we evaluate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on the transcription of TRPM6, TRPM7, and SLC41A1, in individuals with incident pre-hypertension (preHTN). For such purpose, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that compared 18 individuals who received oral magnesium lactate (360 mg elemental magnesium) versus 18 individuals who received placebo, during 4 months. Diagnosis of hypertension or normal BP, diabetes, alcohol intake, chronic diarrhea, use of diuretics, intake of magnesium supplementation, and reduced renal function were exclusion criteria. Regarding the transcription analysis of TRPM6, TRPM7, and SLC41A1 using RT-qPCR, leukocyte-rich plasma was obtained and total RNA was isolated with the kit Direct-zol™ RNA MiniPrep (Zymo). The leukocyte TRPM6 mRNA relative expression showed a significant increase (2.1 ± 1.37 and 0.8 ± 0.4, P<0.05), whereas the mRNA relative expression of both leukocyte TRPM7 (0.8 ± 1.1 and 0.9 ± 0.6, pNS) and SLC41A1 (0.9 ± 1.0 and 0.7 ± 0.6, pNS) showed no significant differences, between the magnesium and placebo groups, respectively. Oral magnesium supplementation increases the leukocyte TRPM6 mRNA relative expression, in subjects with new diagnosis of preHTN.

Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Plasma C-reactive Protein Concentrations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Results of previous clinical trials evaluating the effect of magnesium supplementation on inflammatory markers are controversial. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to evaluating the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. METHOD: PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched (from inception to August 09, 2016) to identify RCTs, evaluating the effect of magnesium on CRP levels. A random-effects model and a generic inverse variance method were used to compensate for the heterogeneity of studies. Publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression assessments were conducted using standard methods. RESULTS: Overall, the impact of magnesium supplementation on plasma concentrations of CRP was assessed in 11 studies. Magnesium treatment was not found to significantly affect plasma concentrations of CRP (WMD: -0.11 mg/L, 95% CI: -0.75, 0.52, p=0.727). When the analysis was stratified to compare subgroups of studies in populations with baseline plasma CRP values of ≤ 3 and > 3 mg/L, a significant reduction of CRP values was observed in the latter subgroup (WMD: -1.12 mg/L, 95% CI: -2.05, -0.18, p=0.019) but not in the former group (WMD: 0.61 mg/L, 95% CI: -0.10, 1.32, p=0.090). The difference between subgroups was statistically significant (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Results of the present meta-analysis indicated that magnesium supplementation reduces CRP levels among individuals with inflammation (CRP levels > 3 mg/dL). This finding suggests that magnesium supplements may have a beneficial role as an adjuvant for the management of low-grade chronic systemic inflammation.

Effect of magnesium supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to evaluate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on lipid profile of both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. METHODS: PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched (from inception to February 23, 2016) to identify RCTs evaluating the effect of magnesium on lipid concentrations. A random-effects model and generic inverse variance method were used for quantitative data synthesis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method. A weighted random-effects meta-regression was performed to evaluate the impact of potential confounders on lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Magnesium treatment was not found to significantly affect plasma concentrations of any of the lipid indices including total cholesterol (WMD 0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.11, 0.16, p = 0.671), LDL-C (WMD -0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.13, 0.11, p = 0.903), HDL-C (WMD 0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.003, 0.06, p = 0.076), and triglycerides concentrations (WMD -0.10 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.25, 0.04, p = 0.149). In a subgroup analysis comparing studies with and without diabetes, no difference was observed between subgroups in terms of changes in plasma total cholesterol (p = 0.924), LDL-C (p = 0.161), HDL-C (p = 0.822), and triglyceride (p = 0.162) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present meta-analysis indicated that magnesium supplementation showed no significant effects on the lipid profile of either diabetic or non-diabetic individuals.

Magnesium in metabolic syndrome: a review based on randomized, double-blind clinical trials.

A growing body of evidence shows the effect of magnesium on serum glucose, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels, as well as on blood pressure, which strongly suggests that magnesium might play an important role in metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We performed a systematic review of clinical evidence derived from randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials, regarding the efficacy of magnesium supplementation on the components of MetS. Using the electronic databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to May 2016, we looked for randomized controlled trials focused on the effects of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity, glucose, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels, as well as its effects on high blood pressure, irrespective of the magnesium salt used, and with a duration of at least four weeks. Crossover studies, irrespective of blinding criteria, were not included. Results of this review show that magnesium supplementation in individuals with hypomagnesemia can be effective in the treatment of MetS.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and glucose control.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and glucose control in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched (from inception to November 25, 2015) to identify RCTs evaluating the effect of magnesium on insulin sensitivity and glucose control. A random-effects model and generic inverse variance method were used to compensate for the heterogeneity of studies. Publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression assessments were conducted using standard methods. The impact of magnesium supplementation on plasma concentrations of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, and HOMA-IR index was assessed in 22, 14, 12 and 10 treatment arms, respectively. A significant effect of magnesium supplementation was observed on HOMA-IR index (WMD: -0.67, 95% CI: -1.20, -0.14, p=0.013) but not on plasma glucose (WMD: -0.20mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.45, 0.05, p=0.119), HbA1c (WMD: 0.018mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.10, 0.13, p=0.756), and insulin (WMD: -2.22mmol/L, 95% CI: -9.62, 5.17, p=0.556). A subgroup analysis comparing magnesium supplementation durations of <4 months versus ≥4 months, exhibited a significant difference for fasting glucose concentrations (p<0.001) and HOMA-IR (p=0.001) in favor of the latter subgroup. Magnesium supplementation for ≥4 months significantly improves the HOMA-IR index and fasting glucose, in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The present findings suggest that magnesium may be a beneficial supplement in glucose metabolic disorders.

Obesity and hypomagnesemia.

BACKGROUND: Whether low serum magnesium is an epiphenomenon related with obesity or, whether obesity per se is cause of hypomagnesemia, remains to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between body weight status and hypomagnesemia in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 681 healthy individuals aged 30 to 65years were enrolled in A cross-sectional study. Extreme exercise, chronic diarrhea, alcohol intake, use of diuretics, smoking, oral magnesium supplementation, diabetes, malnutrition, hypertension, liver disease, thyroid disorders, and renal damage were exclusion criteria. Based in the Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight status was defined as follows: normal weight (BMI <25kg/m2); overweight (BMI ≥25<30 BMIkg/m2); and obesity (BMI ≥30kg/m2). Hypomagnesemia was defined by serum magnesium concentration ≤0.74mmol/L. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratio (OR) between body weight status (independent variables) and hypomagnesemia (dependent variable). RESULTS: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dietary magnesium intake (OR 2.11; 95%CI 1.4-5.7) but no obesity (OR 1.53; 95%CI 0.9-2.5), overweight (OR 1.40; 95%CI 0.8-2.4), and normal weight (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.6-2.09) were associated with hypomagnesemia. A subsequent logistic regression analysis adjusted by body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides levels showed that hyperglycemia (2.19; 95%CI 1.1-7.0) and dietary magnesium intake (2.21; 95%CI 1.1-8.9) remained associated with hypomagnesemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that body weight status is not associated with hypomagnesemia and that, irrespective of obesity, hyperglycemia is cause of hypomagnesemia in non-diabetic individuals.

Perspective: The Case for an Evidence-Based Reference Interval for Serum Magnesium: The Time Has Come.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee indicated that magnesium was a shortfall nutrient that was underconsumed relative to the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for many Americans. Approximately 50% of Americans consume less than the EAR for magnesium, and some age groups consume substantially less. A growing body of literature from animal, epidemiologic, and clinical studies has demonstrated a varied pathologic role for magnesium deficiency that includes electrolyte, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and inflammatory disorders; osteoporosis; hypertension; cardiovascular diseases; metabolic syndrome; and diabetes. Studies have also demonstrated that magnesium deficiency is associated with several chronic diseases and that a reduced risk of these diseases is observed with higher magnesium intake or supplementation. Subclinical magnesium deficiency can exist despite the presentation of a normal status as defined within the current serum magnesium reference interval of 0.75-0.95 mmol/L. This reference interval was derived from data from NHANES I (1974), which was based on the distribution of serum magnesium in a normal population rather than clinical outcomes. What is needed is an evidenced-based serum magnesium reference interval that reflects optimal health and the current food environment and population. We present herein data from an array of scientific studies to support the perspective that subclinical deficiencies in magnesium exist, that they contribute to several chronic diseases, and that adopting a revised serum magnesium reference interval would improve clinical care and public health.

Low Serum Magnesium Levels and Its Association with High Blood Pressure in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of hypomagnesemia with prehypertension (preHTN) and hypertension in children. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 3954 apparently healthy Mexican children were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Exclusion criteria were type 2 diabetes; hepatic, renal, or endocrine disease; impaired fasting glucose; chronic diarrhea; and intake of vitamins or magnesium supplements in the previous 6 months. preHTN was defined by systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90th to <95th percentile and hypertension by systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥95th percentile, according to age, sex, and height percentile. Hypomagnesemia was defined by serum magnesium concentration <1.8 mg/dL (<0.74 mmol/L). To control for potential sources of bias related to age, participants were allocated into 2 groups, aged 6-10 years and 11-15 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of preHTN and hypertension was 12.2% and 6.4%, respectively, in children aged 6-10 years and 13.9% and 10.6% in those aged 11-15 years. Hypomagnesemia was identified in 59 children with preHTN (27.3%) and 52 (45.6%) with hypertension in the 6-10 year age group, and in 115 children with preHTN (36.0%) and 109 (49.6%) with hypertension in the 11-15 year age group. Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed that in children in both age groups, hypomagnesemia was associated with both preHTN (6-10 years: OR, 2.18, P < .0005; 11-15 years: OR, 1.38, P = .018) and hypertension (6-10 years: OR, 4.87, P < .0005; 11-15 years: OR, 1.83, P = .0002). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that serum magnesium level <1.8 mg/dL is significantly associated with preHTN and hypertension in apparently healthy children.

Prevalence of Prehypertension in Mexico and Its Association With Hypomagnesemia.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension (preHTN) increases the risk of developing hypertension. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of preHTN in the Mexican adult population and evaluate the association between hypomagnesemia and preHTN. METHODS: This study was a 2-phase, population-based study. In the first phase, 4,272 Mexican adults (aged 20-65 years) were enrolled to determine the prevalence of preHTN. In the second phase, a cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the association between hypomagnesemia and preHTN. The exclusion criteria were chronic diarrhea, malignancy, hepatic and renal diseases, chronic inflammatory disease, and the intake of magnesium supplements. PreHTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 120-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP of 80-89 mm Hg, and hypomagnesemia was defined as a serum magnesium concentration <1.8 mg/dl. RESULTS: The prevalence of preHTN was 37.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.0-39.0): 46.7% were men (95% CI: 44.1-49.4) and 33.2% (95% CI: 31.5-5.0) were women. The serum magnesium data were available for 921 participants. Hypomagnesemia was identified in 276 (30.0%; 95% CI: 27.1-33.0) subjects; of them, 176 (63.8%; 95% CI: 58.3-69.6) had preHTN. Individuals with preHTN exhibited lower magnesium levels than individuals without preHTN (1.78±0.36 vs. 1.95±0.37, P < 0.0005). A multiple logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels) indicated a significant association between hypomagnesemia and preHTN (odds ratio = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.5-4.0, P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of preHTN in the Mexican population is 37.5%, and hypomagnesemia is strongly associated with preHTN.

[Oral magnesium supplementation: an adjuvant alternative to facing the worldwide challenge of type 2 diabetes?]. / Suplementos orales con sales de magnesio: ¿son útiles como coadyuvantes ante el desafío de salud que representa la diabetes tipo 2?

BACKGROUND: In the search for answers that contribute to the metabolic control of patients with diabetes and the primary prevention of the disease, we performed a review of the evidence from cohort studies on the relationship between serum and/or magnesium intake with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as of clinical trials on the efficacy of oral magnesium salts on reducing glycemia. METHODS: An electronic search using the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, updated to September 30, 2013, was performed. RESULTS: A total of seven cohort studies (24,388 persons/year) show unequivocally that magnesium intake is associated with decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes; two studies (13,076 persons/year) indicate that low magnesium intake is not associated with the risk of diabetes; one study (8,735 persons/year) shows that hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of impaired glucose metabolism. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were identified; five show the effectiveness of oral magnesium salts in reducing glycemia in high-risk subjects and six studies carried out in patients with type 2 diabetes show inconsistent results. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium intake in the customary diet of subjects of the general population and the high-risk groups and/or oral magnesium supplementation is recommended for the prevention of diabetes. The efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation in the reduction of glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients is inconsistent.

Antecedentes: ante la repercusión de la diabetes tipo 2 en la calidad de vida y los altos costos de su tratamiento, es urgente la búsqueda de alternativas para el control metabólico y la prevención primaria de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: revisar la evidencia derivada de estudios de cohortes acerca de la relación entre las concentraciones séricas y la ingesta de magnesio con el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2, y de ensayos clínicos de la eficacia de las sales orales de magnesio en la reducción de la glucemia. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, efectuado con base en la búsqueda de estudios de cohorte mayores de 10 años en MEDLINE, EMBASE, y Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, actualizada al 30 de septiembre del 2013. Resultados: se encontraron siete estudios de cohorte (24,388 personas/ año) que muestran que la ingesta de magnesio disminuye el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2; dos estudios (13,076 personas/año) indican que la baja ingesta de magnesio en la dieta no parece asociarse con el riesgo de diabetes; 1 estudio (8,735 personas/año) demuestra que la hipomagnesemia se asocia con alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa. De 11 ensayos clínicos con asignación al azar, 5 estudios en sujetos de riesgo muestran que las sales orales de magnesio reducen la glucemia, y 6 estudios en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 muestran resultados inconsistentes. Conclusiones: la ingesta de magnesio en la dieta habitual o de sales orales de magnesio es recomendable en la prevención de diabetes. La eficacia de las sales de magnesio en la reducción de la glucemia de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, es inconsistente.

Low birthweight and elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) in prepubertal children.

AIM: To evaluate whether healthy prepubertal children with low birthweight (LBW) exhibited higher serum levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) than did those with normal birthweight (NBW). METHODS: A total of 350 healthy children aged 6 to 9 years and in Tanner stage 1 were enrolled in a community-based cross-sectional study. Family history of hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) in parents and grandparents; active smoking; a diagnosis of acute or chronic illness; and intake of vitamins or nutritional supplements were exclusion criteria. The cut-off point for Lp(a) was 0.79 µmol/L. RESULTS: LBW was identified in 51 (14.6%) children. In total, 42 (12.0%) children had elevated Lp(a) levels, with 25 (49.0%) and 17 (5.7%) in the LBW and NBW groups, respectively (P < 0.0005). None of the children had adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Average body mass index (BMI) (17.1 ± 3.3 and 18.8 ± 3.9, P = 0.001), glucose levels (4.5 ± 0.5 and 4.8 ± 0.4 mmol/L, P = 0.007), insulin levels (67.4 ± 45.1 and 86.1 ± 54.9 pmol/L, P = 0.02), and Lp(a) levels (0.52 ± 0.21 and 1.40 ± 0.49 µmol/L, P < 0.0005) were higher in the children with LBW than in the children with NBW. A multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, raw BMI, BMI standard deviation score and insulin level showed a significant association between LBW and elevated levels of Lp(a) (odds ratio 8.02, 95% confidence interval 7.3-21.3; P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: LBW was shown to be strongly associated with elevated serum levels of Lp(a).

Oral magnesium supplementation improves the metabolic profile of metabolically obese, normal-weight individuals: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We undertook this study to determine the efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation in the improvement of the metabolic profile and blood pressure in metabolically obese, normal-weight (MONW) individuals. METHODS: A total of 47 MONW individuals with hypomagnesemia were enrolled in clinical a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Individuals in the intervention group received 30 mL of MgCl2 5% solution (equivalent to 382 mg of magnesium) and individuals in the control group 30 mL of placebo solution, once daily during 4 months. In the absence of obesity or overweight, the presence of fasting glucose levels ≥100 mg/dL, HOMA-IR index ≥3, triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dL and/or systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥140 and 90 mmHg defined the presence of the MONW phenotype. Hypomagnesemia was defined by serum magnesium concentration ≤1.8 mg/dL. RESULTS: At basal conditions there were no significant differences between groups. At the end of follow-up, changes in the mean of systolic (-2.1 vs. 3.9% mmHg, p <0.05) and diastolic (-3.8 vs. 7.5% mmHg, p <0.05) blood pressures, HOMA-IR index (-46.5 vs. -5.4%, p <0.0001), fasting glucose (-12.3 vs. -1.8% mg/dL, p <0.05) and triglyceride levels (-47.4% vs. 10.1% mg/dL, p <0.0001) were significantly lower in the subjects who received MgCl2 compared with individuals in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Oral magnesium supplementation improves the metabolic profile and blood pressure of MONW individuals.

Oral magnesium supplementation decreases C-reactive protein levels in subjects with prediabetes and hypomagnesemia: a clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has been suggested that magnesium deficiency is associated with the triggering of acute phase response, which may contribute to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. We undertook this study to determine whether oral magnesium supplementation modifies serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in apparently healthy subjects with prediabetes and hypomagnesemia. METHODS: A total of 62 men and non-pregnant women aged 18-65 year, with new diagnosis of prediabetes (glucose 5.6 <7.0 mmol/L and/or post-load glucose ≥7.7 <11.1 mmol/L) and hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium levels <0.74 mmol/L) were enrolled in a clinical double-blind placebo-controlled trial and randomly allocated to receive either magnesium chloride (30 mL of MgCl2 5% solution) or NaHCO3 0.1% solution, once daily for 3 months. RESULTS: At basal conditions, anthropometric and biochemical variables were similarly distributed in both groups. At the end of follow-up, participants who received magnesium chloride showed higher serum magnesium levels (0.86 ± 0.08 vs. 0.69 ± 0.16 mmol/L, p = 0.002) and lower hsCRP levels (4.8 ± 15.2 vs. 17.1 ± 21.0 nmol/L, p = 0.01) compared with participants in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Oral magnesium supplementation decreases hsCRP levels in apparently healthy subjects with prediabetes and hypomagnesemia.

Hypomagnesemia and prehypertension in otherwise healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Given the potential implications in the policies focused on the prevention of hypertension, we evaluate the relationship between low serum magnesium levels and prehypertension in otherwise healthy subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that enrolled 175 healthy men and non-pregnant women, 20 to 65 years of age was carried out. Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, chronic diarrhea, cancer, impaired renal function, as well as the intake of magnesium supplements in the previous six months, were the exclusion criteria. Hypomagnesemia was defined by serum magnesium concentration of <0.7 mmol/L and prehypertension by Systolic (S) and Diastolic (D) blood pressure (BP) of 120 to 139 and 80 to 89 mmHg. A multivariate logistic conditional forward analysis, adjusted by sex, age, alcohol consumption waist circumference, body mass index, fasting glucose and triglyceride levels was conducted to evaluate the association between hypomagnesemia and prehypertension. RESULTS: Prehypertension was identified in 68 (13.2%) subjects who were compared with 107 (20.8%) control individuals without prehypertension. Individuals with prehypertension showed lower magnesium (0.73±0.20 vs. 0.77±0.21, p<0.001) and higher triglyceride levels (2.8±3.5 vs. 1.8±1.2, p=0.04) as compared with non-prehypertensive individuals. There were no other significant differences between the groups. The adjusted multivariate logistic conditional forward analysis showed a significant association between hypomagnesemia and prehypertension (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.11-4.20, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding suggests that low serum magnesium levels could play an important role in the pathophysiology of prehypertension in otherwise healthy subjects.

The ApoB/A-I ratio and metabolic syndrome in prepubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Studies about the relationship of apolipoproteins (apo) and metabolic syndrome in children are scarce. In this study, we analyze apo levels and determine the best cutoff point of the apoB/A-I ratio to diagnose dyslipidemia in prepubertal children with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional study that enrolled 337 children with Tanner stage 1 and average age and body mass index of 9.7±1.6 years and 19.2±3.8 kg/m(2) was carried out. Diagnosis of acute or chronic illnesses constituted the exclusion criteria; in addition, children undergoing medical treatment or receiving vitamins and/or oral supplements were not included. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was identified in 42 (12.5%) children (19 girls and 23 boys). The mean apoB/A-I ratio in the children with metabolic syndrome was 0.67±0.18. The best cutoff point of the apoB/A-I ratio for recognizing dyslipidemia was 0.60 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.778; sensitivity 80%, specificity 55%). A total of 102 children exhibited apoB/A-I ratio ≥0.60. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was performed in 42 (41.2%) children. Among children with metabolic syndrome, 38 (90.5%) had hypertriglyceridemia, 34 (81.0%) low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 32 (76.2%) hypertriglyceridemia+low HDL-C, and 40 (95.2%) an apoB/A-I ratio ≥0.60. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the best cutoff point of the apoB/A-I ratio for recognizing dyslipidemia in prepubertal children is 0.60 and that among children with metabolic syndrome, an apoB/A-I ratio ≥0.60 is the marker of dyslipidemia with the highest frequency.

No positive effect of oral magnesium supplementation in the decreases of inflammation in subjects with prediabetes: a pilot study.

To determine whether oral magnesium supplementation modifies serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 in subjects with prediabetes, inflammation, and hypomagnesemia, a total of 26 subjects men and non-pregnant women were included and randomly allocated to receive 30 ml of MgCl(2) 5% solution (equivalent to 382 mg of magnesium) or placebo, daily during three months. At baseline conditions, there were not significant statistical differences between the groups. At end of the study, hsCRP levels were significantly lower in the intervention group (3.3 ± 2.5 vs 8.0 ± 5.9 mg/L, p = 0.03), as compared with the control group. However, the intra-group analysis of the individuals who received magnesium, did not shows significant statistical differences between baseline and final conditions (4.1 ± 3.0 and 3.3 ± 2.5, p = 0.45). In addition, TNF-alpha (1.2 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.3 pg/mL, p = 0.69), IL-6 (0.3 ± 0.3 vs 5.0 ± 7.7 pg/mL, p = 0.08), and IL-10 (1.8 ± 0.4 vs 1.8 ± 0.5 pg/mL, p = 0.89) serum levels were not significantly different between the groups. Our results do not show a beneficial effect of oral magnesium supplementation on hsCRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 levels in prediabetic subjects with hypomagnesemia and inflammation. Further studies with large sample sizes and longer time of follow-up are necessaries to verify the results of our pilot study.

The role of magnesium in type 2 diabetes: a brief based-clinical review.

A growing body of evidence from experimental studies that shows the essential role that magnesium exerts on glucose metabolism has been developed in last years, strongly suggesting that magnesium could plays an important roles in the reduction of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the clinical setting, large epidemiological studies show that low dietary magnesium intake is associated with the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes; however, results from randomized controlled clinical trials that have evaluated the beneficial effects of magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity are controversial. In this article we searched (in the electronic databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to June 2011) the evidence derived from epidemiological studies and clinical trials, about the relationship between magnesium and type 2 diabetes. The body of evidence from epidemiological studies consistently shows a strong inverse relationship between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of developing T2D; however, results from clinical trials are scarce and controversial.