Serum Magnesium and Phosphate Levels in Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a growing problem which includes clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. Magnesium is one of the most abundant ions in living cells. There is little evidence about magnesium and phosphate role in metabolic syndrome. Aim: To investigate the level of magnesium and phosphate in metabolic syndrome and their possible relation to its components. Subjects and Methods: A case control study, involved 40 patients with metabolic syndrome, 19 males and 21 females, mean age 44.3±1.2 y., diagnosed according to ATPII1 report 2001, and 20 normal control subjects, 11 males and 9 females, mean age 42.2±0.8y. All underwent history taking, clinical examination, laboratory measurements including TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin to calculate insulin resistance (HOMA IR). CRP was assessed. Serum and urinary magnesium (Mg) and phosphate (PO4) were measured. Fractional excretion of Mg (FEMg) and PO4 (FEPO4) were also determined. Results: CRP was significantly higher in MS group than normal control group (P 0.001). serum Mg was significantly lower in MS group than control group (P 0.001). Although serum phosphate was lower in MS group, this difference did not make a statistical significance. Fractional excretion of both elements did not differ significantly in both groups than normal control group. Serum Mg had a significant negative correlation with fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides and insulin resistance, and a significant positive correlation with HDL-C. Conclusion: Mg deficiency is present in metabolic syndrome and has a significant relation to its components. Phosphate levels could be reduced but do not have a relation to its components. So assessment of both elements should be considered in such patients. Abbreviations: MS: Metabolic syndrome, TC: Total cholesterol, TG: Triglycerides, LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, FEMg: fractional excretion of magnesium, FEP04: fractional excretion of phosphate.