Preliminary study of serum magnesium in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONDiabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. Several distinct types of DM exist and are caused by a complex interaction of genetics and environmental factors. Depending on the etiology of the DM, factors contributing to hyperglycemia include reduced insulin secretion, decreased glucose utilization, and increased glucose production.1 The metabolic dysregulation associated with DM causes secondary pathophysiologic changes in multiple organ systems that impose a tremendous burden on the individual with diabetes and on the health care system. Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century.2 Type 2 DM is a significant cause of premature mortality and morbidity related to cardiovascular disease, macrovascular complications, and microvascular complications in older adults. [3][4][5] The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is expected to increase from 4% in 1995 to 5.4% by the year 2025.6 According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), prevalence of diabetes in India is expected to increase from 61.3 million people in 2011 to 101.2 million by ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus is not a single disease entity but rather a group of metabolic disorders sharing the common underlying feature of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia in diabetes results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or, most commonly, both. Magnesium (Mg) is one of the most abundant ions present in living cells and its plasma concentration is remarkably constant in healthy subjects. Plasma and intracellular Mg concentrations are tightly regulated by several factors. Among them, insulin seems to be one of the most important. A poor intracellular Mg concentration, as found in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), may result in a defective tyrosinekinase activity at the insulin receptor level and exaggerated intracellular calcium concentration. Both events are responsible for the impairment in insulin action and a worsening of insulin resistance in noninsulin-dependent diabetic. Methods: This study was undertaken to evaluate role of serum magnesium in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: In this cross sectional study Parameters analysed were serum magnesium and calcium in 2 groups, one: Normal healthy age matched controls not suffering from diabetes mellitus (n=50) and other: Patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without complications (n=50). Biochemical data analysed using Unpaired Students t test. Results demonstrated that serum magnesium levels were lower in type 2 diabetic patients when compared to controls. Conclusions: Magnesium and calcium deficiency may have profound ill effects on human health and should be supplemented to prevent complications.