Background: Low circulating magnesium (Mg) is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to study the performance of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based assay that quantifies ionized Mg in EDTA plasma samples and prospectively investigate the association of Mg with the risk of T2DM. Methods: The analytic performance of an NMR-based assay for measuring plasma Mg was evaluated. We studied 5747 subjects free of T2DM at baseline in the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease (PREVEND) study. Results: Passing–Bablok regression analysis, comparing NMR-measured ionized Mg with total Mg measured by the Roche colorimetric assay, produced a correlation of r = 0.90, with a slope of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.00–1.13) and an intercept of 0.02 (95% CI: −0.02–0.08). During a median follow-up period of 11.2 (IQR: 7.7–12.0) years, 289 (5.0%) participants developed T2DM. The association of NMR-measured ionized Mg with T2DM risk was modified by sex (Pinteraction = 0.007). In women, we found an inverse association between Mg and the risk of developing T2DM, independent of adjustment for potential confounders (HR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.20–2.70). In men, we found no association between Mg and the risk of developing T2DM (HR: 0.90; 95%: 0.67–1.21). Conclusion: Lower NMR-measured plasma ionized Mg was independently associated with a higher risk of developing T2DM in women, but not in men.
Correlation of simultaneous measurements of coronary, carotid and aortic distensibility and vessel wall ratio as evaluated by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus