Development of a Model for In-Vitro Comparative Absorption of Magnesium from Five Magnesium Sources Commonly Used as Dietary Supplements

The purpose of this study was to develop a model system to mimic the intestinal absorption of magnesium when administered as a dietary supplement and then test various magnesium sources in the system. Caco-2 cells (ATCC HTB-37) were seeded in welled culture plates and allowed to mature for 21 days. Maturity was determined by stable trans-epithelial conductivity measurements. The model was developed by evaluating applicable concentration ranges and incubation times. The optimum conditions for application of magnesium to the cells were determined to be 50 mM concentrations for four hours to 6 well culture plates. Absorption of the cation was determined enzymatically from the fluid in the basal chamber. After determining the model, magnesium bisglycinate (MgBG), magnesium bisglycinate with magnesium oxide (MgBuf), dimagnesium malate (DMM), magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium citrate (MgCit) and a negative control were tested for absorption. It was found that all magnesium treatments had significantly elevated M...