Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity in aged rats with type 2 diabetes

Objective To investigate the effect of oral magnesium on insulin sensitivity in aged rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods An aged rat model of type 2 diabetes was induced by oral magnesium.Glucose infusion rate and levels of fasting glucose,insulin,and plasma magnesium ions in the rat model were measured using the euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique. Results The medium and high doses of oral magnesium reduced the fasting blood glucose by 11.3% and 21.9%,and the insulin level by 25.4% and 38.7%,respectively,in rats.The stable glucose infusion rate was significantly elevated during the euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp experiments. Conclusion Oral magnesium can improve the insulin sensitivity in aged rats with type 2 diabetes.