[The effect of a single administration of magnesium sulfate on glucose tolerance and insulinemia in healthy volunteers].

The effect of 2.0 g magnesium sulfate on glucose tolerance and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) response to glucose application was studied in 10 healthy normomagnesemic volunteers: a) Serum magnesium concentration (Mg) increased markedly and remained on the increased values during the study. Total erythrocyte Mg concentration did not change. b) The infusion application of 40 g glucose increased glykemia which returned promptly to fasting levels after the infusion termination. Mg did not influence the glycemic response. c) IRI concentration increased even more than glucose to the glucose load. Mg decreased the IRI response and even IRI/glucose ratio significantly. In conclusion, Mg increased insulin sensitivity even in healthy normomagnesemic subjects.