Clinical Trial: Magnesium After Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Magnesium After Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Brief Summary: The primary purpose is to see if magnesium tablet supplementation will decrease elevated GGT enzyme activity in alcoholic patients immediately after they had been treated for alcohol withdrawal. The secondary aims are to find out whether supplementation decreases the activity of ASAT and ALAT enzymes, increases muscle strength, decreases blood pressure and decreases depressive symptoms among these patients.

Detailed Summary: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is common among alcoholics. Animal studies have shown that magnesium deficiency aggravates the hepatic damage caused by alcohol. One study on chronic alcoholics suggested that magnesium supplementation over six weeks decreases abnormally high activities of three enzymes related to liver function: serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT), and increases muscle strength [4]. These results were, however, significant at the 5% level only when a 1-sided test was applied. It seems that magnesium supplementation may improve liver recovery after a drinking bout, but the evidence is not yet strong enough to warrant clear recommendations for clinical practice. Magnesium deficiency may also be one of the symptoms of depression and may aggravate hypertension. The primary purpose of the present randomized, parallel group, double blind trial is to see if oral magnesium supplementation will decrease elevated GGT enzyme activity in alcoholic patients immediately after they had been treated for alcohol withdrawal. The secondary aims are to find out whether supplementation decreases the activity of ASAT and ALAT enzymes, increases muscle strength, decreases blood pressure and decreases depressive symptoms among these patients.
Sponsor: Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies

Current Primary Outcome: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) activity
  • Alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) activity
  • Depressive symptoms
  • Blood pressure
  • Handgrip muscle strength


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies

Dates:
Date Received: May 11, 2006
Date Started:
Date Completion: September 2005
Last Updated: May 11, 2006
Last Verified: May 2006