Magnesium Supplementation Modulates T-cell Function in People with Type 2 Diabetes and Low Serum Magnesium Levels.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether magnesium supplementation reduces low-grade inflammation by modulating immune cell function in people with type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels.
Results Summary
Magnesium supplementation significantly increased serum and urinary magnesium levels and reduced interferon-γ production in CD8+ T-cells and T-helper 1 cells, as well as interleukin production in T-helper 2 cells, but did not affect immune cell counts, monocyte function, or circulating inflammatory proteins.
Population
12 adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels (mean age 67 ± 7 years, BMI 31 ± 5 kg/m²).
Effective Dosage
15 mmol/day
Duration
Not specified (2-period crossover study)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnesium supplementation (15 mmol/day) | increase | serum magnesium | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | significantly increased | #1 |
magnesium supplementation (15 mmol/day) | increase | urinary magnesium excretion | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | significantly increased | #2 |
magnesium supplementation | decrease | Interferon-γ production from phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin stimulated CD8+ T-cells | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | was lower after treatment with magnesium compared with placebo | #3 |
magnesium supplementation | decrease | Interferon-γ production from phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin stimulated T-helper 1 cells | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | was lower after treatment with magnesium compared with placebo | #4 |
magnesium supplementation | decrease | interleukin (IL) 4/IL5/IL13 production from T-helper 2 cells | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | was lower after treatment with magnesium compared with placebo | #5 |
magnesium supplementation | no change | immune cell numbers | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | did not affect | #6 |
magnesium supplementation | no change | ex vivo monocyte function | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | did not affect | #7 |
magnesium supplementation | no change | circulating inflammatory proteins | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | did not affect | #8 |
magnesium supplementation | decrease | high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels | adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels | - | found a tendency for lower | #9 |
magnesium supplementation | neutral | CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells | people with type 2 diabetes and low serum magnesium levels | - | modulates the function of | #10 |
CONTEXT: Low magnesium levels, which are common in people with type 2 diabetes, are associated with increased levels of proinflammatory molecules. It is unknown whether magnesium supplementation decreases this low-grade inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: We performed multidimensional immunophenotyping to better understand the effect of magnesium supplementation on the immune system of people with type 2 diabetes and low magnesium levels. METHODS: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-period, crossover study, we compared the effect of magnesium supplementation (15 mmol/day) with placebo on the immunophenotype, including whole blood immune cell counts, T-cell and CD14+ monocyte function after ex vivo stimulation, and the circulating inflammatory proteome. RESULTS: We included 12 adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (7 males, mean ± SD age 67 ± 7 years, body mass index 31 ± 5 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.5 ± 0.9%) and low magnesium levels (0.73 ± 0.05 mmol/L). Magnesium treatment significantly increased serum magnesium and urinary magnesium excretion compared with placebo. Interferon-γ production from phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin stimulated CD8+ T-cells and T-helper 1 cells, as well as interleukin (IL) 4/IL5/IL13 production from T-helper 2 cells was lower after treatment with magnesium compared with placebo. Magnesium supplementation did not affect immune cell numbers, ex vivo monocyte function, and circulating inflammatory proteins, although we found a tendency for lower high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels after magnesium supplementation compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, magnesium supplementation modulates the function of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in people with type 2 diabetes and low serum magnesium levels.