Association between serum magnesium levels with lipids profile in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

Introduction Renal replacement therapy is a general term applied for several techniques which are used in the treatment of patients with end-stage renal failure. It includes different methods such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and renal allograft transplantation (1,2). The efficacy of peritoneal dialysis as a method of renal replacement therapy has been proven. The purpose of dialysis is to maintain the normal balance of acid and base and electrolytes in the body, remove metabolic wastes, and maintain the normal condition of body (2,3). Magnesium is one of the elements present in the body that is necessary for most of enzyme systems. It is the second major intracellular cation and plays a major role in the energy conversion from ATP to ADP. The magnesium content of the body is about 2,000 mEq, half of which is inside bones (4-6). Less than 1% of magnesium is within the intercellular fluid. The normal level of plasma magnesium is about 1.3 to 2.2 mEq per liter, 20% of which is attached to proteins. Magnesium concentration in red blood cells indicates the intracellular magnesium concentration. A healthy person needs 20-30 mEq magnesium daily. This amount of magnesium is absorbed through the gastrointestinal system. Increased level of magnesium is observed in patients with renal failure and hypothyroidism, and those who take antacid drugs. A reduced blood level of magnesium is also observed in malnutrition and malabsorption (4,5). Some studies have shown that magnesium can affect the emergence and development of atherosclerosis through making changes in inflammatory processes in damages caused by cell oxidation, increasing the levels of serum LDL-C, and through stimulating growth factors. Magnesium does not directly augment the synthesis of lipoproteins; however it may affect the arrangement of enzymes responsible for the synthesis of lipoprotein in the liver. Consequently they are more effective in changing the metabolism of triglycerides (4-7). Abstract Introduction: Dyslipidemia, is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients. Objectives: This investigation sought to assess the association of serum magnesium level and blood lipids profile in patients under peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 110 dialysis patients. Serum lipids and magnesium levels were assessed. Data were analyzed using t-test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: The mean patients’ age was 46.1±14.7 years. In peritoneal dialysis patients, who were not under treatment of antilipid drugs, the correlation of serum magnesium with triglyceride and VLDL was significant (p<0.05), while the association of serum magnesium with total cholesterol and LDL-C was significant, only in subgroup who were under treatment of antilipid drugs (p<0.05). In hemodialysis patients, the correlation of serum magnesium with total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL was significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed that serum magnesium had correlation with serum lipids and could influence to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients.