Magnesium (Mg) is a vital element for various metabolic and physiological functions in the human body, including its crucial role in skeletal muscle health. Hypomagnesaemia is frequently reported in many muscle diseases, and it also seems to contribute to the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle impairment in patients with neuromuscular diseases. The aim of this scoping review is to analyze the role of Mg in skeletal muscle, particularly its biological effects on muscle tissue in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) in terms of biological effects and clinical implications. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. From the 305 studies identified, 20 studies were included: 4 preclinical and 16 clinical studies. Preclinical research has demonstrated that Mg plays a critical role in modulating pathways affecting skeletal muscle homeostasis and oxidative stress in muscles. Clinical studies have shown that Mg supplementation can improve muscle mass, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise recovery and reduce muscle soreness and inflammation in athletes and patients with various conditions. Despite the significant role of Mg in muscle health, there is a lack of research on Mg supplementation in NMDs. Given the potential similarities in pathogenic mechanisms between NMDs and Mg deficiency, further studies on the effects of Mg supplementation in NMDs are warranted. Overall, maintaining optimal Mg levels through dietary intake or supplementation may have important implications for improving muscle health and function, particularly in conditions associated with muscle weakness and atrophy.
Keywords: dietary supplement; magnesium; muscle strength; neuromuscular disease; skeletal muscle.