Magnesium, Stress, Endothelial Dysfunction & Metabolic Syndrome

Magnesium deficiency and metabolic syndrome: stress and inflammation may reflect calcium activation.

“...One of the earliest events in the acute response to stress is endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cells actively contribute to inflammation by elaborating cytokines, synthesizing chemical mediators and expressing adhesion molecules. Experimental Mg deficiency in rats induces a clinical inflammatory syndrome characterized by leukocyte and macrophage activation, synthesis of inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins, extensive production of free radicals. An increase in extracellular Mg concentration decreases inflammatory effects, while reduction in extracellular Mg results in cell activation. The effect of Mg deficiency in the development of insulin resistance in the rat model is well documented. Inflammation occurring during experimental Mg deficiency is the mechanism that induces hypertriglyceridemia and pro-atherogenic changes in lipoprotein metabolism. The presence of endothelial dysfunction and dyslipidemia triggers platelet aggregability, thus increasing the risk of thrombotic events. Oxidative stress contributes to the elevation of blood pressure. The inflammatory syndrome induces activation of several factors, which are dependent on cytosolic Ca activation. Recent findings support the hypothesis that the Mg effect on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis may be a common link between stress, inflammation and a possible relationship to metabolic syndrome.….” learn more: http://www.nutritionalmagnesium.org/magnesium-stress-and-metabolic-syndrome/