Magnesium in aging and aging-related disease

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an essential divalent cation in human body. Its balance is tightly controlled via a balanced interplay among intestinal absorption, storage, and renal excretion, involving multiple transporters across cell membrane that regulate Mg2+ influx and efflux. Mg2+ is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes such as enzymatic reactions, energy metabolism, cell proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In particular, Mg2+ contributes to the molecular hallmarks of aging. Emerging evidence demonstrates that altered Mg2+ status has been associated with many aging-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, musculoskeletal function, metabolic syndrome, and COVID-19. In this review, we focus on Mg2+ and its association with molecular hallmarks of aging. We also summarize recent findings supporting an important role of Mg2+ in aging-related disease including the COVID-19 pandemic.