The magnesium content of the trabecular bone in diabetic subjects.

Trabecular bone samples, obtained in vivo from the iliac crest, were examined for their magnesium content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after ashing. A significant decrease was found in jevunile-type diabetics and in maturity-type patients treated with insuline as compared to non-diabetic controls. The possibility of a long-term effect of daily insulin injections is discussed.