Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum triglyceride levels in NIDDM.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on the lipid profile of the predominantly Hispanic population of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients in San Antonio, Texas.


METHODS
A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed on 14 men and 16 women. Initially, each patient was randomly assigned to receive either chromium picolinate or placebo for 2 months. This initial treatment phase was followed by a 2-month washout period. Subjects were then crossed-over and received the alternate capsule for an additional 2 months. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids were compared at the end of each treatment phase.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight of the originally enrolled 30 patients completed the study. There were no adverse reactions to chromium reported. There were no differences noted between the control and chromium-treated subjects in glucose control, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced significantly (17.4%; P < 0.05) during the 2 months of chromium supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Ours is the first report of a significant reduction in serum TGs in a group of NIDDM patients treated with chromium. The low cost and excellent safety profile of chromium make it an attractive lipid-lowering agent for this population. Long-term studies are needed to determine if the short-term changes in plasma lipids can be sustained.
Lee
N A
NA
Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7877.
Reasner
C A
CA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C030614:picolinic acid