Effects of magnesium deficiency--more than skin deep

Navin Chandrakanth Chandrasekaran; Christopher Weir; Sumaya Alfraji; Jeff Grice; Michael S Roberts; Ross T Barnard

doi:10.1177/1535370214537745

Effects of magnesium deficiency--more than skin deep

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2014 Oct;239(10):1280-91. doi: 10.1177/1535370214537745. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Authors

Navin Chandrakanth Chandrasekaran¹, Christopher Weir², Sumaya Alfraji³, Jeff Grice⁴, Michael S Roberts⁴, Ross T Barnard⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Wooloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
² Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
³ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Wooloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
⁵ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia rossbarnard@uq.edu.au.

PMID: 24928863
DOI: 10.1177/1535370214537745

Abstract

Dead Sea and magnesium salt therapy are two of the oldest forms of treatment for skin disease and several other disorders, supported by a body of largely anecdotal evidence. In this paper we review possible pathways for penetration of magnesium ions through the epidermis to reach the circulation, in turn replenishing cellular magnesium levels. We also discuss mechanisms for intercellular movement of magnesium ions and possible mechanisms for the interaction between magnesium ions and inflammatory mediators. Upon addition of magnesium ions in vitro, the expression of inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and nuclear factor κβ (NFκβ) is down regulated. Dysregulation of these and other inflammatory mediators has been linked to several inflammatory disorders, including asthma, arthritis, atherosclerosis and neuroinflammation.

Keywords: Magnesium; inflammation; skin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Immunologic Factors / metabolism
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
Inflammation / pathology*
Magnesium / metabolism
Magnesium / therapeutic use*
Magnesium Deficiency / pathology*
Skin / metabolism
Skin Absorption

Substances

Immunologic Factors
Magnesium