Hyperglycaemia enhances renal magnesium excretion in Type 1 diabetic patients

Magnesium depletion is a common feature of diabetes mellitus, apparently related to glycaemic control. The aim of the study was to investigate the isolated effect of hyperglycaemia upon renal magnesium excretion. Urinary magnesium excretion rates were measured in 10 patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus on two different days with different levels of blood glucose concentration but equal plasma insulin concentration. On a hyperglycaemic day, an i.v. infusion of 20% glucose was started at the end of a euglycaemic baseline period, increasing blood glucose concentration from 5.3 mmol/L to 12.3 mmol/L. There was no major glucosuria. On the hyperglycaemic day the renal magnesium excretion and clearance were raised by a factor of 2.4 compared to the euglycaemic day. Plasma magnesium concentration decreased 3% during hyperglycaemia. In conclusion, blood glucose excursions influence magnesium homeostasis independently of insulin levels in Type 1 diabetic patients. This effect is primarily due to an increased renal magnesium clearance during hyperglycaemia.