Magnesium deficiency impairs rat soleus muscle glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity.

Insulin resistance (IR), probably a common pathway of atherosclerosis development in various diseases, was suggested to be related to magnesium (Mg) deficiency. The in vivo observations required an in vitro extension. The study was performed on isolated rat soleus muscle incubated in Ringer bicarbonate with/without Mg. Mg deficiency inhibited basal, insulin- and tolbutamide-stimulated glucose utilization. Insulin-stimulated glucose utilization was inhibited even in the case that insulin was given to rats before sacrifice. Similar inhibition of glucose utilization was found in Ca deficiency and the simultaneous lack of Mg had no additive effect. It is concluded that Mg deficiency inhibits glucose utilization at the level of Ca mediation of glucose transport regulation.