title: Magnesium retards the progress of the arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of magnesium (Mg) on the evolution of arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two stable hemodialysis patients were randomly allocated to two groups: 36 administered a regimen containing magnesium carbonate plus calcium acetate as a phosphate binder (Mg group), while the rest 36 received calcium acetate alone (Ca group). The presence and the progression of arterial calcifications were evaluated in plain X-rays using a simple vascular calcification score. The duration of the follow-up period was 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two patients of the Mg group and 27 of the Ca group completed the study. The mean time average values of the biochemical laboratories did not differ between the two groups, except serum Mg: 2.83 + 0.38 in the Mg group versus 2.52 + 0.27 mg/dl in the Ca group, p = 0.001. In 9/32 (28.12 %) patients of the Mg group and in 12/27 (44.44 %) patients of the Ca group, the arterial calcifications were worsened, p = 0.276. Moreover, in 4/32 (15.6 %) patients of the Mg group and in 0/27 (0 %) patients of the Ca group, they were improved, p = 0.040. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum magnesium was an independent predictor for no progression of the arterial calcifications, p = 0.047.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnesium probably retards the arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify whether magnesium provides cardiovascular protection to this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Chania General Hospital, 18 Michali Mefa st, Chania, Crete, PC 73100, Greece, ioatzan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ioannis P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Tzanakis
authors.forename: Elisavet E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Stamataki
authors.forename: Antonia N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Papadaki
authors.forename: Nektarios
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giannakis
authors.forename: Nikolaos E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Damianakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Oreopoulos
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: C005479:magnesium carbonate; D008274:Magnesium