Serum chromium does not predict glucose tolerance in late pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Chromium is an essential element in human nutrition. Serum concentrations of chromium are not well characterized during pregnancy or in gestational diabetes mellitus.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether low plasma chromium concentrations (< or =3 nmol/L) are associated with altered glucose, insulin, or lipid concentrations during pregnancy.


METHODS
The study was conducted prospectively and took place at the medical obstetric clinic of a tertiary referral hospital. Seventy-nine women with abnormal results of a 50-g glucose challenge test in the third trimester of pregnancy were studied. All women had a formal 75-g oral-glucose-tolerance test, and fasting insulin, lipid, and chromium concentrations were determined. Chromium was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.


RESULTS
The median chromium concentration was 2 nmol/L (95% CI: 0, 12). There were no significant differences in age, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, calculated insulin resistance, or calculated ss cell function between women with normal and those with abnormal (< or =3 nmol/L) chromium concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma chromium during pregnancy does not correlate with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, or serum lipids. Plasma chromium concentrations may not accurately reflect tissue stores of chromium. Several trials showed a beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose tolerance, insulin, and lipids. A method for assessing body chromium stores is required to allow further study.
Gunton
J E
JE
Department of Endocrinology and Pacific Laboratory Medicine Services, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia. jennyeg@hotmail.com
Hams
G
G
Hitchman
R
R
McElduff
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D002857:Chromium