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Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Abstract

Introduction

The effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on vascular function have been evaluated in some randomized controlled trials (RCT) but their results are conflicting.

Aim

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to summarize the effects of oral Mg supplementation on vascular function in RCT.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were accessed from inception to May 27, 2019. Intergroup differences (treatment vs. control group) related to changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), expressed as mean and standard deviation, were used to evaluate the effect of Mg supplementation on these outcomes. The results of the meta-analysis were expressed using a random-effects model. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic.

Results

The oral supplementation of Mg had no significant effect on FMD (mean difference 2.13; 95% CI − 0.56, 4.82; p = 0.12) and PWV (mean difference − 0.54, 95% CI − 1.45, 0.36, p = 0.24). Heterogeneity for both outcomes (FMD and PWV) was high (I2 = 99%, p < 0.001). However, in subgroup analyses, oral Mg significantly improved FMD in studies longer than 6 months, in unhealthy subjects, in individuals older than 50 years, or in those with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. The reduced number of RCT and the heterogeneity among them were the main limitations.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggest that oral Mg supplementation may improve endothelial function when conducted at least for 6 months and in unhealthy, overweight or older individuals. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019111462.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere gratitude to Raphael Chança and Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa no Complexo de Saúde (CAPCS) da UERJ.

Funding

The present study was supported by Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Bianca Cristina Antunes Alves Marques, Michelle Rabello da Cunha, Samanta de Souza Mattos, Lívia de Paula Nogueira, Tainah de Paula, Wille Oigman & Mario Fritsch Neves

  2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Bianca Cristina Antunes Alves Marques

  3. Department of Applied Nutrition, Nutrition Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Márcia Regina Simas Torres Klein

  4. Early Detection Division, National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Flávia Miranda Corrêa

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  1. Bianca Cristina Antunes Alves Marques
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Contributions

BCAAM: Conceived the study, conducted the search strategy, made the registry in the PROSPERO, selected the studies, assessed the risk of bias, made the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript. MRSTK: Conducted the search strategy, selected the studies, assessed the risk of bias and drafted the manuscript. MRC: Conducted the search strategy, selected the studies and assessed the risk of bias. SSM: Conducted the search strategy, selected the studies and assessed the risk of bias. LPN: Selected the studies, assessed the risk of bias and drafted the manuscript. TP: Conducted the search strategy and made the statistical analysis. FMC: Conducted the registry in the PROSPERO and assessed the risk of bias. WO: Conceived the study and drafted the manuscript. MFN: Conceived the study, conducted the search strategy and drafted the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved this final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mario Fritsch Neves.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Marques, B.C.A.A., Klein, M.R.S.T., da Cunha, M.R. et al. Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 27, 19–28 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-019-00355-z

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