On the insulin effect on the magnesium homeostasis

In 10 healthy, normoglycemic children the intravenous application of 0.1 I.U. insulin per kg body mass is followed by a decline of the plasma magnesium levels of about 15 to 20 percent of the basal levels. This effect is explained as a result of transport of extracellular magnesium into the intracellular space of the insulin-dependent tissues, and is discussed on the basis of known insulin-magnesium interactions at the receptor level.