Magnesium: Novel Applications in Cardiovascular Disease – A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Magnesium is an ubiquitous element and its formulation determines its efficacy and administration. It is used for gastrointestinal and obstetric disease and recently cardiovascular and neurological indications have also been explored. The role of serum/dietary magnesium intake on cardiovascular disease, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), hypertension (HTN) and cholesterol synthesis has been investigated. Despite differences in patient populations, some observational and interventional studies have suggested that low serum/dietary magnesium is associated with higher CIMT and more cardiovascular risk factors. A few clinical and basic science interventional studies have also shown the benefits of magnesium administration in cardiovascular disease prevention and as a neuroprotective agent. Low magnesium levels have been implicated in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Hypomagnesemia results in increased C-reactive protein and cytokine exaggeration, increased nuclear factor kappa B and platelet dysfunction, which can lead to thrombosis. Magnesium appears to play a vital function in cardiovascular stability and health, but an optimal dose and formulation has not been defined. Potentially promising avenues include the combination of magnesium with a statin to reduce cholesterol, C-reactive protein and CIMT, and its early use to reduce stroke morbidity and mortality. Understanding the role of magnesium in inflammation and mineralization and how it has the potential for playing a role in modulating cardiovascular and neurological disease can be a new frontier in medicine.

Intakes of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium and Risk of Stroke

“…Next to BP-lowering effects, mechanisms by which magnesium may protect against stroke include beneficial effects on cholesterol synthesis and inflammation. 14 Our and previous studies suggest that a diet rich in sources of magnesium, such as with leafy vegetables, grain, and dairy products, may be useful in stroke prevention. However, the effect of magnesium seems marginal, and we cannot exclude that residual confounding by healthy lifestyle (partly) explains our results.…”

The role of nutrition and nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of hypertension

“…Magnesium increases prostaglandin E (PGE), regulates intracellular calcium, sodium, potassium and pH, increases nitric oxide, improves endothelial function, reduces oxLDL, reduces HS-CRP, TBxA2, A-Ⅱ, and norepinephrine. Magnesium also improves insulin resistance, glucose and MS, binds in a necessary-cooperative manner with potassium, inducing EDV and BP reduction, reduces CVD and cardiac arrhythmias, decreases carotid IMT, lowers cholesterol, lowers cytokine production, inhibits nuclear factor Kb, reduces oxidative stress and inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce thrombosis [74,[80][81][82][83][84][85][86] . Magnesium is an essential co-factor for the delta-6-desaturase enzyme that is the rate-limiting step for conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to gamma linolenic acid (GLA) [74,80,81,[83][84][85] needed for synthesis of the vasodilator and platelet inhibitor PGE1.…”

A Rationally Designed, Spiropyran-Based Chemosensor for Magnesium

“…Conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes [10][11][12], Alzheimer's [13,14] and cardiovascular disease [15,16] have been linked with magnesium deficiency, however the mechanisms of Mg 2+ regulation in such disease states are poorly understood [17,18]. Fluorescent chemosensors, in combination with specialised imaging technologies, provide a useful tool to study the role of metal ions in cellular processes as they enable detection in and around cells with spatial and temporal resolution [19].…”