The relationship between serum magnesium level and plasma atherogenicity index

Introduction: Magnesium is an important cofactor for enzymes involved in enzyme activation and carbohydrate metabolism. It is the second most abundant cation in the cell after potassium. Recent studies have shown that magnesium deficiency may be associated with hypertension, tip 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic changes. Plasma Atherogenicity Index (PAI) is a non-invasively obtained parameter in a short time in the form of logarithms of base 10 [log (TG/HDL)] of Triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values, which are components of fasting lipid profile. The importance of this ratio in risk and prognostic assessment in cardiovascular diseases has been demonstrated in various studies. PAI predicts the presence of atherogenic small LDL and HDL particles, coronary atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk. It also reflects the balance between protective and atherogenic lipoproteins. Our aim in this study is to examine the relationship between PAI, which is an effective index that is easy to look at in primary care, and magnesium, a factor that can cause atherogenic changes. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted on patients aged between 18 and 65, with no chronic illnesses, who applied to a Family Health Center in Bağcılar between January 2022 and May 2022. A total of 198 patients, including 152 women and 46 men, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' age, gender, height, weight, history of chronic diseases and medication use, and examination notes were obtained from the E-nabız and Family Medicine Information System. Blood tests taken after an 8-hour fast of the patients were recorded and analyzed for glucose, CRP, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, uric acid, HBA1C, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol. The plasma atherogenicity index of the patients was calculated and the correlation with serum magnesium levels was analyzed. Results: A total of 198 patients, including 152 women and 46 men, were included in our study. No statistically significant relationship was found between plasma atherogenicity index and magnesium levels (p=0.365). A weak, positive statistically significant relationship was found between plasma atherogenicity index and LDL, total cholesterol, glucose, CRP, uric acid, and HBA1C values (r=0.260, r=0.278, r=0.260, r=0.366, r=0.335, r=0.267, p<0.001). A very weak, positive statistically significant relationship was found between PAI and NA values (r=0.156, p=0.032). Additionally, a weak, positive statistically significant relationship was found between PAI and BMI values (r=0.397, p<0.001). No statistically significant relationship was found between PAI and P, K, and CA values (p>0.05). A weak, positive statistically significant relationship was found between PAI and age (r=0.295, p<0.001). Conclusion: In our study, we did not find a significant relationship between serum magnesium levels and PAI. However, further evaluation of this relationship is needed through measurements of magnesium in intracellular fluid and tissue levels, with larger populations and multi-center studies.