Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 63; no. 7; pp. 2555 - 2565
• Main Authors: Dhillon, Varinderpal S., Deo, Permal, Fenech, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Australasian People; biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; blood; Blood levels; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cytokinesis; DNA biosynthesis; DNA damage; DNA Damage - drug effects; DNA repair; DNA replication; Female; Folic acid; Folic Acid - blood; Homocysteine; Homocysteine - blood; Humans; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Magnesium; Magnesium - blood; Magnesium Deficiency - blood; Male; metabolism; Micronuclei; Micronucleus Tests - methods; Middle age; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Original Contribution; Peripheral blood; risk; South Australia; Vitamin B 12 - blood; Vitamin B12; South Australia; Nuclear buds (NBuds); DNA damage; Nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs); Magnesium; Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus Cytome; Homocysteine; Micronuclei (MN)
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03449-0

Purpose Magnesium is one of the most common elements in the human body and plays an important role as a cofactor of enzymes required for DNA replication and repair and many other biochemical mechanisms including sensing and regulating one-carbon metabolism deficiencies. Low intake of magnesium can increase the risk of many diseases, in particular, chronic degenerative disorders. However, its role in prevention of DNA damage has not been studied fully in humans so far. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that magnesium deficiency either on its own or in conjunction with high homocysteine (Hcy) induces DNA damage in vivo in humans. Methods The present study was carried out in 172 healthy middle aged subjects from South Australia. Blood levels of magnesium, Hcy, folate and vitamin B 12 were measured. Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus cytome assay was performed to measure three DNA damage biomarkers: micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBuds) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results Data showed that magnesium and Hcy are significantly inversely correlated with each other ( r  = − 0.299, p  < 0.0001). Furthermore, magnesium is positively correlated both with folate ( p  = 0.002) and vitamin B 12 ( p  = 0.007). Magnesium is also significantly inversely correlated with MN ( p  < 0.0001) and NPB ( p  < 0.0001). Individuals with low magnesium and high Hcy exhibited significantly higher frequency of MN and NPBs compared to those with high magnesium and low Hcy ( p  < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was an interactive effect between these two factors as well in inducing MN ( p  = 0.01) and NPB ( p  = 0.048). Conclusions The results obtained in the present study indicate for the first time that low in vivo levels of magnesium either on its own or in the presence of high Hcy increases DNA damage as evident by higher frequencies of MN and NPBs.