The effects of magnesium supplementation on gene expression related to inflammatory markers, vascular endothelial growth factor, and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes.

Magnesium has been introduced as one of the micronutrients with several metabolic benefits, mainly anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of magnesium supplementation on gene expression of inflammatory markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and pregnancy outcomes in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 36 women, aged 18-40 years old, diagnosed with GDM. Study participants were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 250 mg/day magnesium oxide (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) for six weeks. Gene expression related to inflammatory markers and VEGF was assessed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of women with GDM, via RT-PCR method. Quantitative results of RT-PCR demonstrated that magnesium supplementation downregulated gene expression levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) (P = 0.03) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P = 0.006) and upregulated gene expression levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) (P = 0.03) in PBMCs of women with GDM, compared with placebo. Magnesium supplementation did not significantly affect gene expression of IL-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Additionally, magnesium administration resulted in a lower incidence of newborn hyperbilirubinemia (11.1% versus 44.4%, P = 0.02) and newborn hospitalization (11.1% versus 44.4%, P = 0.02) compared with placebo. Overall, magnesium supplementation for six weeks significantly decreased gene expression levels of IL-8 and TNF-α, and increased TGF-ß in women with GDM. Therefore, magnesium supplementation might be recommended to decrease metabolic complications in women with GDM, due to its beneficial effects on gene expression of inflammatory markers.

Metabolic Response to Mulberry Extract Supplementation in Patients With Diabetic Nephropathy: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mulberry extract administration on markers of insulin metabolism, lipid concentrations, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive either 300 mg/d of mulberry extract (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30), twice per day for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the onset of the study and 12 weeks after supplementation to examine markers of insulin metabolism, lipid concentrations, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. RESULTS: Mulberry extract, compared to placebo, resulted in significant reductions in serum triglycerides (-37.3 ± 64.7 mg/dL versus 3.0 ± 78.8 mg/dL, P = .03) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-7.4 ± 12.9 mg/dL versus 0.6 ± 15.8 mg/dL, P = .03), and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (0.5 ± 4.0 mg/dL versus -2.0 ± 5.0 mg/dL, P = .03). Other significant changes were in serum high-sensitivity C-reaction protein (-2.3 ± 4.5 µg/mL versus -0.1 ± 2.2 µg/mL, P = .02), plasma glutathione (87.8 ± 159.7 µmol/L versus -24.2 ± 138.8 µmol/L, P = .005) and malondialdehyde (-0.03 ± 0.5 µmol/L versus 0.7 ± 1.0 µmol/L, P < .001).   Conclusions. These findings showed that mulberry extract administration had favorable effects on serum lipids, HSCRP, glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels in DN patients; however, it did not affect markers of insulin metabolism or biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.