Oral Magnesium Treatment Reduces Anemia and Levels of Inflammatory Markers in Experimental Diabetes

Abstract

Magnesium has been reported to improve glucose utilization in diabetes mellitus. However, information on its effects on anemic and inflammatory markers in diabetes mellitus is limited. This study investigated the effect of oral magnesium (Mg) treatment on some markers of anemia and inflammation in 25 male Wistar rats. Rats (200 ± 15 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5). Group 1 was control (received orally 0.2 mL distilled water daily), group 2 (Diabetic Untreated), group 3 (Diabetic Mg treated-100 mg/kg bw), group 4 (Diabetic Mg treated-250 mg/kg bw), group 5 (Diabetic Insulin treated-1 IU/kg bw). Diabetes was induced with a single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)). All treatments were done for 14 days. Anemic and inflammatory markers were investigated on blood samples obtained from each animal using standard laboratory methods. Significant increase (p < 0.05) in total white blood cell (WBC) count was observed in diabetic untreated rats (7.67 ± 0.397 × 10/L) compared to control (5.88 ± 0.25 × 10/L), DMg 100 (5.86 ± 0.74 × 10/L) and DMg 250 (5.06 ± 0.78 × 10/L). Hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count was decreased (p < 0.05) in DU compared to control, DMg 100, and DI rats. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in DU compared to control, DMg 100, DMg 250, and DI groups. Fibrinogen level was increased (p < 0.05) in DU rats (0.44 ± 0.02 g/dL) compared to control(0.26 ± 0.02 g/dL). Values obtained in DMg 100 (0.30 ± 0.03 g/dL), DMg 250 (0.22 ± 0.04 g/dL), and DI (0.36 ± 0.02 g/dL) rats were comparable to control (0.26 ± 0.02 g/dL). Total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were decreased in DU rats compared to normal control, DMg 100, DMg 250, and DI rats. In conclusion, anemia and increased hematologic and metabolic inflammatory markers may be associated with untreated diabetes mellitus. Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with magnesium improved the anemic state and reduced hematologic and metabolic inflammatory markers.

Amelioration of thyroid dysfunction by magnesium in experimental diabetes may also prevent diabetes-induced renal impairment

“…Experimental type-2-diabetes was induced using the method of Srinivansan et al, [14]; briefly experimental animals were maintained on 30% high fat diet (HFD) (maize 12.1%, soya 19.1%, groundnut cake 19.1%, wheat 5.8%, fish meal 9.6%, cal-cium and phosphorus 1.9%, lysine 0.38%, methionine 0.38%, pre-mix 0.76%, salt 0.76%, and lard 30%) feeding for 2weeks followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Fifty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups consisting of control, diabetes untreated, diabetes treated with either magnesium (as magnesium chloride) alone (250 mg/kg) [8, 9] or metformin (250 mg/kg) [15] and diabetes treated with both metformin and magnesium simultaneously. All treatments were carried out orally for 14 days post diabetes induction.…”

“…Oral magnesium supplementation in diabetes has been reported to exert beneficial effects in both rat and human studies [7, 8, 9]. Hypomagnesaemia has been observed in most diabetics and this has been reported to increase the susceptibility of developing long-term complications of diabetes mellitus including thyroid dysfunction and CKD [10].…”

Association between serum magnesium and blood count: influence of type 2 diabetes and central obesity

“…Significant increase (P < 0⋅05) in total leucocyte count was observed in diabetic untreated rats compared with diabetic rats with oral Mg treatment. Erythrocyte count was increased (P < 0⋅05) in diabetic rats (with oral Mg treatment) compared with the diabetic untreated group (31) . But in our study, there was no correlation between serum Mg and leucocyte count in adults without oral Mg treatment in any subgroup.…”

<p>Magnesium Sulfate Improves Some Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis in Patients Suffering from One or Two Coronary Artery Diseases: A Double-blind Clinical Trial Study</p>

“…In a study by Ige and Adewoye, oral Mg administration reduced the rate of inflammation in diabetic rats and reduced ESR levels. 49 Researchers have also shown that elevated liver Mg levels may decrease ESR level in obese gastric bypass patients. 50 However, chronic kidney disease due to atherosclerosis develops cardiovascular problems.…”