JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: Magnesium is an abundant intracellular cation in humans. Magnesium is essential for insulin secretion and its effective action. Secretion of insulin by beta cells of pancreas depend on the regulation of ATP stimulated channels by magnesium. Magnesium is a cofactor for kinases which is responsible for the insulin action through receptors. Thereby hypomagnesemia can cause decreased uptake of glucose by the cells. Decreased serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus are documented in several studies. Aim: To observe the serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes patients in Tamil Nadu part of South India. Settings and Design: Study group includes 203 type 2 diabetic patients. Exclusion criteria are type 1 diabetes and chronic diseases. Age matched apparently 203 healthy individuals were selected as control group. Materials and Methods: Fasting blood glucose, serum magnesium and glycated haemoglobin were analyzed in the blood samples using standard kits. Statistical analysis used: Student’s ‘t’ test and correlation coefficient. Result: Serum magnesium levels were significantly lowered in the study group when compared with the control group (p <0.001). We observed a negative correlation (r = -0.163, p <0.05) between serum magnesium and glycated haemoglobin in the study group. Conclusion: The serum magnesium has been significantly lowered in type 2 diabetes patients. Hypomagnesemia in these patients may worsen the insulin resistance. Supplementing magnesium in these patients will help in reducing insulin resistance.

Key-words: Hypomagnesemia, Diabetes mellitus and Glycated haemoglobin.