The Effect of Magnesium, Zinc, and Selenium, Used Alone or in Combination, on Strength and Anabolic Hormone Levels in Rats

Abstract

BackgroundMagnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) are essential minerals that play an important role in the production of anabolic hormones that are vital for male sexual function, fertility, strength, and athletic performance. Deficiency in these minerals is associated with a decline in levels of anabolic hormones, such as testosterone and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1). Testosterone levels also begin to decline in most men after age 30, which may contribute to various adverse conditions including diabetes, reduced bone and muscle mass, impaired sexual function, and decreased energy.PurposeThis study investigated the effect of Mg‐N21 (a novel magnesium complex), zinc picolinate (ZnPic), and selenomethionine (SeMet) on hormone levels, mineral absorption, and strength in rats fed a high‐fat diet.MethodsForty‐two male Wistar rats (age: 8 weeks, weight: 180 ± 20 g) were divided into six groups as follows: 1) Control (no treatment), 2) HFD‐Control (fed a high‐fat diet), 3) HFD+Mg‐N21 (58.44 mg elemental Mg/kg diet, a 100 mg human equivalent dose (HED)), 4) HFD+ZnPic (17.53 mg elemental Zn/kg diet, a 30 mg HED), 5) HFD+SeMet (58.44 μg elemental Se/kg diet, a 0.1 mg HED), 6) HFD+Mg‐N21+ZnPic+SeMet (MZS). All treatments were administered daily as an oral supplement for 8 weeks. Muscle strength was assessed using a grip strength meter. After 8 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and serum and tissue samples were obtained for analysis.ResultsResults showed that serum testosterone levels were highest in the MZS group compared to all other treatment groups (Figure 1; p<0.05). Compared to the HFD‐Control group, testosterone levels were 105% higher in the MZS group. Serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) were highest in the MZS group compared to all other treatment groups (p<0.05). Zinc, magnesium, and selenium absorption, retention, and levels (serum, liver, and brain) were significantly higher in the MZS group compared to the HFD‐Control group (p<0.05). Zinc absorption and retention, and selenium retention were significantly higher when rats were given MZS compared to the individual nutrients alone (p<0.05). Grip strength and the grip strength to body weight (GS/BW) ratio were significantly higher in the MZS group compared to all treatment groups (p<0.05) but did not differ from the HFD+Mg‐N21 group. In the MZS group, grip strength and the GS/BW ratio increased by 58% and 68% respectively, over the HFD‐Control group (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe results of this preclinical study demonstrate that the combination of Mg‐N21, zinc picolinate, and selenomethionine is more beneficial than the individual ingredients alone in raising anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength. These results may be of interest to aging men, since anabolic hormone levels decline with age, as well as men of all ages looking to raise anabolic hormone levels to benefit sexual function, strength, and energy.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Nutrition 21, LLC.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.