The Effect of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

This is a comprehensive systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis evaluating the effects of oral magnesium supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) among adults. The major databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications until December 14, 2020, using appropriate keywords. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the quality of each study. We also performed a subgroup analysis to identify probable sources of heterogeneity. A total of 18 studies with 927 participants fulfilled the eligibility criteria and included in this meta-analysis. Our results indicate that the supplementation with magnesium had no statistically significant effect on serum concentrations of CRP (WMD, - 0.49; 95 CI, - 1.72 to 0.75 mg/L; P = 0.44), IL-6 (WMD, - 0.03; 95 CI, - 0.40 to 0.33 pg/mL; P = 0.86), and TNF-α (WMD, 0.12; 95 CI, - 0.08 to 0.31 pg/mL; P = 0.24) compared with controls. In addition, based on dose-response assessment, no significant non-linear association was found between magnesium supplementation dosage or duration on serum CRP and IL-6 concentrations. The findings of the present systematic review and meta-analysis did not support the notion that oral magnesium supplementation could have favorable effects on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the adult population.