Hypomagnesemia and its relationship with oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and inflammation in women with obesity

This analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design included 147 women, aged between 20 and 50 years, who were divided into two groups: women with obesity (n=75) and eutrophic (n=72). Erythrocyte and urinary magnesium concentrations, urinary creatinine, markers of glycemic control, SOD and catalase enzyme activity, plasma concentrations of TBARs and IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines, serum leptin concentrations, and blood pressure measurements were assessed. The obese women had increased serum leptin concentrations, reduced erythrocyte and plasma magnesium concentrations, and increased urinary excretion of this mineral. There were significant differences between the groups in the concentrations of leptin, erythrocyte magnesium, plasma magnesium, and urinary magnesium, as well as urinary creatinine, SOD, TBARs, and IL-6. Simple linear correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between leptin and adiposity parameters in obese women and a negative correlation between leptin and SOD activity in the control group. There was a negative correlation between erythrocyte magnesium and IL-6 in the control group. The results of the study suggest that the reduced SOD concentrations in obese women may have been due to magnesium deficiency; however, the study did not identify the impact of magnesium deficiency on oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation in obese women.