OBJECTIVE -To determine whether oral magnesium supplementation (as magnesium chloride [MgCl 2 ] solution) improves both insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic subjects with decreased serum magnesium levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -This study was a clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. A total of 63 subjects with type 2 diabetes and decreased serum magnesium (serum magnesium levels Յ0.74 mmol/l) treated by glibenclamide received either 50 ml MgCl 2

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... solution (containing 50 g MgCl 2 per 1,000 ml solution) or placebo daily for 16 weeks. Chronic diarrhea, alcoholism, use of diuretic and/or calcium antagonist drugs, and reduced renal function were exclusion criteria. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as the parameter of insulin sensitivity and glucose and HbA 1c as parameters of metabolic control. RESULTS -At the end of the study, subjects who received magnesium supplementation showed significant higher serum magnesium concentration (0.74 Ϯ 0.10 vs. 0.65 Ϯ 0.07 mmol/l, P ϭ 0.02) and lower HOMA-IR index (3.8 Ϯ 1.1 vs. 5.0 Ϯ 1.3, P ϭ 0.005), fasting glucose levels (8.0 Ϯ 2.4 vs. 10.3 Ϯ 2.1 mmol/l, P ϭ 0.01), and HbA 1c (8.0 Ϯ 2.4 vs. 10.1 Ϯ 3.3%, P ϭ 0.04) than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS -Oral supplementation with MgCl 2 solution restores serum magnesium levels, improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients with decreased serum magnesium levels. Abbreviations: HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance. A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances. E m e r g i n g T r e a t m e