Impact of Magnesium Deficiency on Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetic Nigerians

Objective: Pancreatic b-cell dysfunction is described to be present at the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and progressively deteriorated with disease duration. However, its progression is variable and potentially influenced by several factors. The Magnesium (Mg) deficiency mediates insulin resistance but reports regarding its role in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction are scarce and conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate Mg deficiency effect on pancreatic β-cell function in T2DM patients at a specialist hospital in north eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Study subjects were categorized in to two groups according to plasma Mg levels; 34 subjects with hypomagnesemia and 45 subjects with normal magnesium levels. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for Mg, glucose and insulin. Pancreatic β-cell function was estimated as HOMA-β. Results: Degree of pancreatic β-cell function, as measured by HOMA-β, was significantly lower among T2DM subjects with hypomagnesemia compared to the subjects with normal magnesium levels (38.1± 5.5 vs. 41.2± 6.2, P-value< 0.05). Lower plasma Mg was associated with decreased pancreatic β-cell function among the study subjects independent of age, BMI and duration of diabetes. Conclusion: We concluded that among subjects with T2DM in this study, Mg deficiency might be linked with worsening of pancreatic β-cell function.