The effect of magnesium deficit on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between changes in the concentration of serum magnesium and serum immunoglobulin concentrations in type 1 diabetes mellitus. In this study were included 110 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (64 men and 46 women) with ages ranging from 19 to 54 years (mean age 41.6+/-6.8 years). The mean duration of the disease was 8.7+/-7.5 years. Thirty-six healthy subjects served as a control group. The serum magnesium concentrations were evaluated by VITROS 750 XRC, Johnson & Johnson kit, (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics). Total serum IgA, IgG and IgM were determined by laser nephelometry (MININEPH The Binding Site kit). Values are means (x) + standard deviations (SD). Serum magnesium concentrations confirmed the magnesium deficit in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (1.8+/-0.11 mg/dL, range 1.73-2.47 mg/dL vs 2.2+/-0.2 mg/dL, range 1.6-2.4 mg/dL). In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, IgA levels are mildly elevated (4.03+/-0.51 g/L vs 3.43+/-0.48 g/L; p<0.05), while IgG levels are decreased (7.38+/-0.76 g/L vs 9.92+/-1.32 g/L; p<0.001) and IgM levels are almost constantly normal (1.18+/-0.16 g/L vs 1.22+/-0.15 g/L; p>0.05). Therefore, magnesium deficit has profound immunosuppressive capabilities in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus by significantly reducing the number of IgG synthesizing cells and serum IgG concentrations.