The effect of magnesium sulfate on gene expression and serum level of inflammatory cytokines in coronary artery disease patients.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of oral magnesium sulfate (MgSO) on the gene expression and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ in patients with moderate coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

60 CAD patients were selected based on angiography findings and were randomly divided into two groups that received 300 mg/day MgSO (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 3 months. Gene expression and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were assessed.

RESULTS

After 3 months of intervention, gene expression and serum levels of IL-18 and TNF-α in the MgSOgroup were significantly less than the placebo group (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in gene expression and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). In addition, within group analysis demonstrate that Mg-treatment significantly decrease serum level of TNF-α and IL-18 as compared to pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study demonstrate that 3-month magnesium sulfate administration (300 mg/day) to CAD patients could significantly decrease serum concentration and gene expression levels of IL-18 and TNF-α. Our findings support the potential beneficial effect of magnesium supplementation on alleviating CAD complications through modulating inflammatory cytokines.