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Participation of Magnesium in the Secretion and Signaling Pathways of Insulin: an Updated Review

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Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated the participation of various minerals in mechanisms involving insulin. Magnesium, in particular, plays an important role in the secretion and action of this hormone. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the latest insights into the biochemical and molecular aspects of the participation of magnesium in insulin sensitivity. Magnesium plays a vital role in the activity of intracellular proteins involved in insulin secretion in β-pancreatic cells, such as glucokinase, ATPase, and protein kinase C. In addition, evidence suggests that this mineral participates directly in insulin sensitivity and signaling in peripheral tissues, acting in the phosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine kinase and the insulin receptor substrates 1, insulin receptor substrates 2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and protein kinase B, and indirectly by reducing oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation, which also lead to insulin resistance. Thus, magnesium deficiency is associated with glucose intolerance, while magnesium supplementation stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic cells and improves insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. However, studies must consider assess short- and long-term nutritional status of mineral before performing intervention, the relevance of the balance of other nutrients that influence hormone secretion and sensibility, and health status of the assessed population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina (Piauí), Brasil

    Stéfany Rodrigues de Sousa Melo, Loanne Rocha dos Santos, Tamires da Cunha Soares, Bruna Emanuele Pereira Cardoso, Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais, Mickael de Paiva Sousa & Thayanne Gabryelle Visgueira de Sousa

  2. Graduate Program in Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina (Piauí), Brasil

    Thaline Milany da Silva Dias

  3. Graduate of Nutrition, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina Piauí, Brasil

    Nilmara Cunha da Silva & Lyandra Dias da Silva

  4. Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Piauí, Rua Hugo Napoleão, 665, Ed. Palazzo Reale, Apto 2001, Jockey, CEP 64048-320, Teresina, Piauí, Brasil

    Kyria Jayanne Clímaco Cruz & Dilina do Nascimento Marreiro

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Contributions

SRSM, JBSM, KJCC, and DNM conceived the idea of study and manuscript review; LRS, TCS, BEP, TMSD, JBSM, MPS, and TGVS searched databases, screened the articles, and extracted data; and NCS and LDS construction of graphic schemes. All authors drafted the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Dilina do Nascimento Marreiro.

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de Sousa Melo, S.R., dos Santos, L.R., da Cunha Soares, T. et al. Participation of Magnesium in the Secretion and Signaling Pathways of Insulin: an Updated Review. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 3545–3553 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02966-x

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