title: Use of the artificial beta cell (ABC) in the assessment of peripheral insulin sensitivity: effect of chromium supplementation in diabetic patients.
abstract: The artificial beta cell (ABC), a closed-loop insulin delivery system, was used to determine insulin sensitivity. Progressively increasing glucose loads were administered after initial stabilization of the blood glucose at euglycemic levels such that the serum C-peptide was suppressed. The amount of insulin required to maintain euglycemia was considered a measure of sensitivity to insulin. Six stable maturity onset diabetics were studied before and after supplementation with chromium-rich brewer's yeast. All patients demonstrated an increase in sensitivity to insulin as indicated by a decrease in the fasting blood glucose concentration and a decrease in insulin requirement during the glucose challenge (P less than 0.02). The data obtained support the hypothesis that chromium or some other factor(s) present in brewer's yeast potentiates the peripheral effects of insulin. It remains to be established whether this effect occurs at the receptor or post-receptor level.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002857:Chromium