Serum and Urine Levels of Magnesium in Adult Males with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to investigate the association of serum and urine magnesium (Mg) levels of the patients living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) without complications. The effect of Mg deficiency on the prevalence of DM and its related complications has received great attention. Serum and urine Mg, fasting serum glucose (FSG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and urine creatinine (Creat) levels were determined in 68 diabetic subjects and 62 age-matched nondiabetic subjects (controls) using auto-analyzer and atomic absorption spectrometer. Body mass indices (BMI) of the subjects were also determined. The serum Mg levels in the patients with T2 DM were significantly lower than that in controls. BMI and the levels of FSG, HbA1c, and urine Mg were significantly higher and urine Creat level lower in diabetic subjects compared with nondiabetic subjects. Significantly lower serum Mg and significantly higher urinary Mg levels were observed in diabetic subjects with poor glycemic control (HbA1c >7%) compared with the nondiabetic population. The present correlation study revealed a highly significant correlation between FSG and HbA1c (r = 0.846, P = 0.000). Aging and increasing duration of DM alter the metabolism of Mg by decreasing its serum concentration and increasing its urinary excretion. This study also showed a significant negative association between serum Mg and FSG (r = –0.408, P = 0.039 and HbA1c (r = –0.478, P = 0.043). Also, a significant negative association was observed between serum Mg and age of both patients with T2 DM (r = –0.787, P = 0.044) and controls (r = –0.798, P = 0.041). Again, a significant negative correlation (r = –0.452, P = 0.018) was observed between serum Mg and urine Mg levels of the diabetic population of the study. DM and poor glycemic control alter the metabolism of Mg by increasing its urinary excretion and lowering its serum levels. Its clinical implications were discussed in this study.