Measurement of magnesium absorption and retention in type 2 diabetic patients with the use of stable isotopes

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 78; no. 3; pp. 448 - 453
• Main Authors: Wälti, Monika K, Zimmermann, Michael B, Walczyk, Thomas, Spinas, Giatgen A, Hurrell, Richard F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Clinical Nutrition 01.09.2003; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: absorption; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical elements; chemistry; complications; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; diagnostic use; Digestive system; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; etiology; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; excretion; feces; Feces - chemistry; glucose tolerance; Humans; insulin resistance; Intestinal Absorption; Isotopes; Isotopes - metabolism; Isotopes - urine; magnesium; Magnesium - metabolism; Magnesium - urine; Magnesium Deficiency; Magnesium Deficiency - etiology; Medical sciences; metabolism; Middle Aged; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; patients; Retention; stable isotopes; urine; Endocrinopathy; Type 2 diabetes; Human; stable isotopes; Excretion; Pathophysiology; Retention; Absorption; retention diabetes; Feces; Magnesium; Measurement method; Isotopes; fecal monitoring
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/78.3.448

Background: Magnesium deficiency has been associated with type 2 diabetes and may reduce insulin sensitivity and impair glucose tolerance. The etiology of magnesium depletion in diabetes is unclear. Animal studies suggest that diabetes may impair magnesium absorption; however, there are no published data on magnesium absorption in humans with diabetes. Objective: Magnesium absorption from a test meal and the excretion and retention of magnesium were compared between patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy control subjects. Design: A meal labeled with 10 mg 26Mg isotopic label was administered, and stool and urine samples were collected for 10 and 6 d, respectively. Apparent absorption was calculated as the difference between the oral dose of 26Mg isotopic label and the total amount of the isotopic label excreted in the feces. Magnesium retention was calculated from the apparent absorption and urinary excretion of 26Mg isotopic label in the 6 d after administration. Results: Mean (+/- SD) values for fractional magnesium absorption in the diabetic patients and the control subjects were 59.3 +/- 7.0% and 57.6 +/- 8.5%, respectively (NS). Mean (+/- SD) urinary magnesium excretion values in the diabetic patients and the control subjects were 11.2 +/- 2.6% and 11.7 +/- 3.8%, respectively (NS); retention values were 54.2 +/- 7.1% and 51.4 +/- 6.1%, respectively (NS). Conclusion: Dietary magnesium absorption and retention are not impaired in patients with reasonably well-controlled type 2 diabetes.