Long‐term Magnesium Supplementation Improves Glucocorticoid Metabolism

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Long‐term magnesium supplementation improves glucocorticoid metabolism: A post‐hoc analysis of an intervention trial

Joëlle C. Schutten, Peter J. Joris, Isidor Minović, Adrian Post, André P. van Beek, Martin H. de Borst, Ronald P. Mensink, Stephan J.L. Bakker

First published: 08 October 2020

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Objective
Increasing magnesium intake might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether potential effects on cortisol contribute to these beneficial effects on cardiovascular health remains unclear. We therefore studied effects of long‐term oral magnesium supplementation on glucocorticoid metabolism, specifically on the excretion of urinary cortisol, cortisone, and their metabolites, as well as on the ratios reflecting enzymatic activity of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β‐HSDs) and A‐ring reductases.

Design
A post‐hoc analysis of a randomized trial with allocation to a magnesium supplement (350 mg/d) or a placebo for 24‐wk.

Patients
Forty‐nine overweight men and women, aged between 45‐70 years.

Measurements
Cortisol, cortisone, and their metabolites (tetrahydrocortisol [THF], allo‐tetrahydrocortisol [allo‐THF], and tetrahydrocortisone [THE]) were measured in 24‐h urine samples. Enzymatic activities of 11β‐HSD overall and of 11β‐HSD type 2 were estimated as the urinary (THF + allo‐THF [THFs])/THE and cortisol/cortisone ratios, respectively. A‐ring reductase activity was assessed by ratios of THF/allo‐THF, allo‐THF/cortisol, THF/cortisol, and THE/cortisone.

Results
After 24‐wk, urinary cortisol excretion was decreased in the magnesium group as compared with the placebo group (‐32 nmol/24‐h, 95% CI: ‐59; ‐5 nmol/24‐h, P=0.021). Ratios of THFs/THE and cortisol/cortisone were decreased following magnesium supplementation by 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.17, P=0.018) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.03; 0.17P=0.005), respectively. No effects were observed on A‐ring reductase activity.

Conclusions
We observed a beneficial effect of magnesium supplementation towards a lower 24‐h urinary cortisol excretion together with an increased activity of 11β‐HSD type 2. Our findings may provide another potential mechanism by which increased magnesium intake lowers CVD risk (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02235805).
 
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