A study of serum magnesium levels to insulin in type2 diabetes mellitus

Back ground: Glucose homeostasis reflects a balance between hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake and utilization Insulin is the most important regulator of this metabolic equilibrium but neural input, metabolic signals, other hormones (e.g. Glucagon) results in integrated control of glucose supply and utilization. The ingested sugars are broken down which enters the digestive system and forms glucose. It enters the blood stream and leads to increase in blood glucose levels. When glucose molecules are high in the blood, these molecules will reach the pancreatic beta cells and enter in to the beta cells resulting in release of insulin which enters the blood stream and transported all over the body leads for glucose utilization. Serum magnesium levels are known to be lowered in diabetes and its supplementation in known to improve the out comes in terms of metabolic stability. Now we are in need to ensure the relation between serum magnesium levels and serum insulin levels. Very few studies have been done to establish a definite relationship between these two. This study puts in a since efforts to understand the relation between serum magnesium level to serum insulin level in diabetes mellitus type 2. Material and methods: The present study was carried out in south Indian population at PRS hospital Trivandrum on 150 recently diagnosed type 2 DM patients. 150 healthy individuals were taken as control group. Permission was obtained from institutional ethics committee. The patients included were who attended the Department of General Medicine outpatient department. History of the patient was obtained before including in to present study. Fasting samples for glucose were checked for confirmation of diabetic status. Insulin and magnesium levels were estimated. The Hb A1c was also measured and compared between diabetics and control group. Blood glucose levels analysis was performed by semi auto analyzer. Serum fasting insulin levels were measured by ELISA Method (Genx bio). Results: Low serum magnesium levels was observed and found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001) in cases of diabetics, when compared to the control group. Increased serum insulin levels in diabetic patients was recorded in statistically significant manner (P < 0.004) when compared to control group. The levels fasting glucose and magnesium in diabetic patients were observed to be inversely proportional. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes which involves loss of insulin and leptin sensitivity is easily preventable disease. However preventing the disease requires a multi-faceted approach. Getting adequate magnesium is just one part of the formula. Others critical life style factors include diet, exercise and optimizing gut flora.