Effect of intensive i.v. + oral magnesium supplementation on circulating ion levels, lipid parameters and metabolic control in Mg-depleted insulin-dependent diabetic patients (IDDM).

Magnesium depletion in diabetic patients is a frequent observation and is involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic complications. In this study the effect of a 10 week intensive oral + i.v. supplementation of Mg was studied in 11 depleted IDDM patients with stable metabolic control. Ionized Mg decreased and erythrocyte Mg increased significantly together with an increased storage of Mg in the body demonstrated with a classical retention test. Normalization of the Mg parameters was however not obtained. Lipid parameters and metabolic control remained unchanged.