title: Magnesium supplementation and muscle function in patients with alcoholic liver disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on muscle contents of Mg, muscle strength, muscle mass and sodium, potassium pumps (Na,K-pumps) in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Retrospectively, patients were also stratified according to spironolactone treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised a placebo-controlled, randomized trial in which 59 consecutive patients with alcoholic liver disease were treated with Mg intravenously and orally (12.5 mmol daily) or placebo for 6 weeks. Muscle content of Mg, maximum isokinetic muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass and muscle content of Na,K-pumps were measured before and after Mg supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscle Mg did not increase during the trial (paired t-test), but Mg supplementation and the duration of pre-study spironolactone treatment were independent predictors of muscle Mg (multiple regression). Muscle strength increased by 14% during the trial (p<0.001) and muscle mass increased by 11% (p=0.05), but with no difference between placebo and Mg treatment. Spironolactone treatment was associated with a 33% increase in the content of Na,K-pumps (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Six weeks of Mg supplementation did not increase muscle Mg, although Mg supplementation and spironolactone treatment were independent predictors of muscle Mg. The intervention had no effect on muscle strength and mass, but both increased during the study, probably owing to the general care and attendance to the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine V, Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus, Denmark. niels@as.aaa.dk
authors.forename: Niels Kristian
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Aagaard
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vilstrup
authors.forename: Torben
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dørup
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium