Effect of Magnesium pre-treatment on alloxan induced hyperglycemia in rats.

BACKGROUND The role of vitamins and mineral supplementation in the prevention of diabetes mellitus is not well elucidated. OBJECTIVE The effect of prior administration of magnesium on alloxan induced diabetes was assessed in rats. METHODS 36 Male albino rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each; group 1 was healthy control; groups 2 served as diabetic control. Animals in group 3 received magnesium (100 mg/kg) i.p one hour prior to alloxan (120 mg/kg) administration, group 4 were also received magnesium (150 mg/kg) i.p one hour prior to alloxan administration. Animals in group 5 received magnesium (100 mg/kg) i.p only; group 6 animals received magnesium (150 mg/kg) i.p only. Blood samples were obtained from all animals and plasma glucose levels were determined on Day 0 (prior to treatment), Day 2, Day 5, Day 7 and Day 10 after the commencement of treatment. RESULTS There was significant increase (P<0.001) in plasma glucose values in the alloxan treated group when compared with the control values. There was also a significant increase (P<0.01) in plasma glucose levels in the magnesium-pretreated (100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) diabetic groups when compared with healthy controls whereas there was a significant reduction (P<0.01) in plasma glucose level when compared with the diabetic control. CONCLUSION This study has shown that magnesium pretreatment may delay the onset and subsequently cause a reduction in hyperglycemia in alloxan induced diabetes. This effect of magnesium may be attributed to its role as a scavenger of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals generated through alloxan reactions, its potentiation of glutathione antioxidant production and its role as a calcium blocker.