Effects of Magnesium-Vitamin E Co-supplementation on Glucose Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Double-blind Clinical Trial Study

Dietary antioxidants may play a protective role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of magnesium-vitamin E co-supplementation on glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted among GDM pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation. The study did not include mothers who needed medication to control their blood glucose levels or had a history of DM. The subjects were randomly divided into two 30-member groups, one of which received magnesium (250 mg), and vitamin E (400 mg) daily, while the other was given a placebo. Blood samples were taken at the study baseline and six weeks after the intervention to quantify oxidative stress biomarkers, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and fasting plasma insulin (FPI). Additionally, the effect of supplementation was assessed on neonatal outcomes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20 (SPSS, Chicago, IL)

A significant decrease was observed in the FPG and FPI of the supplementation group (p<0.05). However, FPI elevated by progressing pregnancy in the placebo group (p=1.99×10-4). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) revealed that supplementation was associated with improved insulin sensitivity (p=3.38×10-13). In addition, total antioxidant capacity increased to 5.66 ± 0.86% in the treatment group. Finally, no significant difference was found between the groups regarding neonatal outcomes.

The results represented that magnesium-vitamin E co-supplementation significantly reduced oxidative biomarkers and improved glycemic control in GDM.