Correlation Analysis of Serum Magnesium Concentration and Lipids in Health Population and Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the lead cause of death around the world. Dyslipidemia is strongly associated with CVD. Magnesium (Mg) is an essential trace element involved in many vital biological process, such as glucose and lipid metabolism. Previous studies have showed that hypomagnesemia or Mg deficiency is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and CVD. Objective: To explore the correlation between serum magnesium (Mg) concentration and dyslipidemia in health subjects and type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: 3430 health subjects were selected and divided into adult (aged 18~59) and elderly (≥60 years) groups according to age. In addition, 63 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected. Propensity score based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking history was matched at a ratio of 1:2 between patients and health controls. Results: There was a significant correlation between elevated serum Mg concentration and dyslipidemia in health adults, but no significant correlation between the two in the health elderly. Multiple linear regression showed that serum total cholesterol (TC), BMI and smoking in men while fasting plasma glucose and serum LDL-C in women were independent risk factors for elevated serum Mg concentration. Whereas, no significant correlation was found between serum Mg concentration and lipid levels in T2DM patients. Conclusion: Serum Mg concentration is correlated with serum lipids to a certain extent, while age, gender and disease status may also exert certain confound effects. The causal relationship between serum Mg and dyslipidemia needs to be further studied.