Magnesium research : official organ of the International Society for the Development of Research on Magnesium
-
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.
-
The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of common pathologies: abdominal obesity linked to an excess of visceral fat, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. This syndrome is occurring at epidemic rates, with dramatic consequences for human health worldwide, and appears to have emerged largely from changes in our diet and reduced physical activity. An important but not well-appreciated dietary change has been the substantial increase in fructose intake, which appears to be an important causative factor in the metabolic syndrome. ⋯ Potential mechanisms include the priming of phagocytic cells, the opening of calcium channels, activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkB) and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Since magnesium deficiency has a pro-inflammatory effect, the expected consequence would be an increased risk of developing insulin resistance when magnesium deficiency is combined with a high-fructose diet. Accordingly, magnesium deficiency combined with a high-fructose diet induces insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, endothelial activation and prothrombic changes in combination with the upregulation of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
-
Neuroprotective activity with magnesium associated with animal models of cerebral ischaemia, seizure, perinatal hypoxia/ischaemia, subarachnoid haemorrhage and traumatic brain injury has provided the justification for clinical stroke trials. However, the recent IMAGES stroke clinical trial found magnesium to be largely ineffective. Hence, due to the negative stroke trial outcome, current FAST-MAG trial and our own experience with magnesium in cerebral ischaemia animal models, we thought it prudent to review these preclinical and clinical studies. ⋯ Moreover, data from our own laboratory indicates that magnesium is only neuroprotective when combined with post-ischaemic hypothermia. These data provide a possible explanation of why the IMAGES trial was largely unsuccessful, as current stroke patient management does not involve hypothermia induction. Future preclinical and clinical cerebral ischaemia trials with magnesium should consider combining treatment with mild hypothermia.
-
Review Comparative Study
Magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate: a genuine question.
MgSO4 is routinely used in therapeutics despite its toxicity. The aim of the present review was to compare MgSO4 and MgCl2 effects in order to answer the question whether MgSO4 could be or not replaced by MgCl2. Considering that the two salts have both similar and proper effects, a clear-cut conclusion is not easy to draw. However, choosing MgCl2 seems advisable because of its more interesting clinical and pharmacological effects and its lower tissue toxicity as compared to MgSO4.