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 (MgSO₄) 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 MgSO₄ (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 MgSO₄ group 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.