The trace element chromium--a role in glucose homeostasis.
To better define the normal metabolism of the trace element chromium, we studied its diurnal variation and its response to an oral glucose challenge in nine healthy volunteers. Plasma and urine chromium concentrations were measured by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy and plasma insulin by radioimmunoassay. A significant inverse relationship was found between plasma chromium and plasma insulin concentrations both over a 24-h period (P less than 0.001) and after a 75-g glucose load (P less than 0.01). This interesting observation, suggesting the removal of chromium from the plasma compartment after meals (confirmed by glucose tolerance test), is not explained simply by increased urinary loss but might be explained by transient changes in uptake or binding of chromium by insulin-sensitive tissues.
Morris
B W
BW
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Blumsohn
A
A
Mac Neil
S
S
Gray
T A
TA
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D002857:Chromium; D005947:Glucose