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Oral magnesium supplementation improves vascular function in elderly diabetic patients
Mario Barbagallo1, Ligia J Dominguez, Antonio Galioto
1Geriatric Unit, Dept. of Internal Medicine and Emergent Pathologies, University of Palermo, Italy. mabar@unipa.it
Magnesium Research
|August 26, 2010
Summary
Oral magnesium supplementation significantly improved endothelial function in elderly diabetic patients. This suggests magnesium plays a key role in vascular health for this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Magnesium ions (Mg) are crucial for vascular tone and nitric oxide (NO) release, impacting endothelium-dependent relaxation.
- Previous studies indicate oral or parenteral magnesium supplementation enhances endothelial-dependent vasodilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of oral magnesium supplementation on endothelial function in elderly individuals with diabetes and hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Sixty elderly diabetic patients (≥ 65 years) were enrolled.
- Thirty patients received 4.5 g/day of Mg pidolate for one month; a control group did not.
- Endothelial function was assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD); ionized magnesium (Mg-ion) levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Mg supplementation significantly increased Mg-ion concentration (0.42 to 0.49 mmol/L) and improved FMD (3.3% to 8.4%) in the intervention group.
- No significant changes in Mg-ion or FMD were observed in the control group.
- These improvements were noted without altering standard diabetes and hypertension management.
Conclusions:
- Oral magnesium supplementation effectively enhances endothelial function in elderly diabetic subjects.
- Magnesium may be a beneficial therapeutic strategy for improving vascular health in this patient demographic.
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