The Association of Magnesium and Homocysteine Levels with DNA Damage

by | Oct 8, 2024 | 2024, Brain Health, Magnesium, Minerals

Written by Harold Oster, MD. Results suggest that low levels of magnesium and high levels of homocysteine are associated with increased DNA damage.

magnesiumVarious environmental and nutritional factors are known to damage DNA. The chromosomal instability that results is a factor in aging and may lead to degenerative diseases and cancer1. Micronuclei, nuclear buds, and nucleoplasmic bridges are biomarkers of DNA damage and chromosomal instability and are detectable with the cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome (CBMN) assay2. Magnesium is an abundant mineral in humans and is involved in numerous physiologic processes, including DNA repair. Magnesium deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone fragility, and other age-related conditions3. Homocysteine is an amino acid derived from methionine. Genetic and nutritional factors, including folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies, can cause elevation of homocysteine levels. Chronically elevated homocysteine results in oxidative stress and DNA damage and is associated with various cardiovascular and neurologic conditions4.

Varinderpal S. Dhillon et al. studied the association between magnesium deficiency and homocysteine elevation with DNA damage. The authors recruited 172 healthy adults in Australia. Blood was tested for magnesium, homocysteine, B12, and folate levels. Low levels of magnesium and homocysteine were defined for the study as less than 19.5 mg/L and less than 9.0 mmol/L, respectively. High levels of magnesium and homocysteine were defined as equal or greater than 19.5 mg/L and 9.0 mmol/L. CBMN assays were performed to determine the frequency of micronuclei, nuclear buds (NBuds), and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and the results were adjusted for age and gender.

The authors noted the following:

  • 79% of the participants were female
  • The mean age of women was 53.8 years. In men, it was 54.8 years.
  • Magnesium levels were inversely associated with homocysteine levels.
  • Magnesium levels were positively associated with folate and vitamin B12 levels.
  • Homocysteine levels were inversely associated with folate and vitamin B12 levels.
  • After adjustment for age and gender, magnesium levels were inversely correlated with the frequencies of micronuclei and NPBs.
  • Homocysteine levels were positively correlated with micronuclei, NPBs, and NBuds.
  • Folate and vitamin B12 levels were inversely correlated with micronuclei.
  • Participants with high magnesium levels and low homocysteine levels had the lowest frequency of micronuclei.
  • Participants with low magnesium and high homocysteine levels had a higher NPB frequency than participants with high magnesium and low homocysteine levels.
  • Participants with high magnesium and low homocysteine levels had a lower frequency of NBuds than those with low magnesium and high homocysteine levels.

Results suggest that low magnesium levels and high homocysteine levels are associated with increased DNA damage. The study’s limitations include possible residual confounding.

Source: Dhillon, Varinderpal S., Permal Deo, and Michael Fenech. “Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians.” European Journal of Nutrition (2024): 1-11.

© The Author(s) 2024

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Posted October 8, 2024.

Harold Oster, MD graduated from medical school in Miami, Florida in 1992 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. After more than 25 years of practicing Internal Medicine, he recently retired. Dr. Oster is especially interested in nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention. Visit his website at haroldoster.com.

References:

  1. Soto-Palma C, Niedernhofer LJ, Faulk CD, Dong X. Epigenetics, DNA damage, and aging. J Clin Invest. Aug 15 2022;132(16)doi:10.1172/jci158446
  2. Fenech M, Kirsch-Volders M, Natarajan AT, et al. Molecular mechanisms of micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridge and nuclear bud formation in mammalian and human cells. Mutagenesis. Jan 2011;26(1):125-32. doi:10.1093/mutage/geq052
  3. Barbagallo M, Veronese N, Dominguez LJ. Magnesium in Aging, Health and Diseases. Nutrients. Jan 30 2021;13(2)doi:10.3390/nu13020463
  4. Hermann A, Sitdikova G. Homocysteine: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Role in Disease. Biomolecules. May 15 2021;11(5)doi:10.3390/biom11050737
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