Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Chromium treatment has been reported to improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in specific populations of patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chromium treatment on glycemic control in a Western population of insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
In this 6-month double-blind study, patients with an HbA(1c) (A1C) >8% and insulin requirements of >50 units/day were randomly assigned to receive treatment with placebo or 500 or 1,000 mug chromium daily in the form of chromium picolinate. The primary efficacy parameter was a change in A1C. Secondary end points were changes in lipid profile, BMI, blood pressure, and insulin requirements.


RESULTS
In this per-protocol analysis (n = 46), the decrease in A1C was approximately equal across the three groups (0.4%). All patients had a BMI >25 kg/m(2). No differences were found in the secondary end points. We found a weak relationship between an increasing serum chromium concentration and improvement of the lipid profile.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence that high-dose chromium treatment is effective in obese Western patients with type 2 diabetes.
Kleefstra
Nanne
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, Weezenlanden Location, P.O. Box 10500, 8000 GM Zwolle, Netherlands. kleefstra@langerhans.com
Houweling
Sebastiaan T
ST
Jansman
Frank G A
FG
Groenier
Klaas H
KH
Gans
Rijk O B
RO
Meyboom-de Jong
Betty
B
Bakker
Stephan J L
SJ
Bilo
Henk J G
HJ
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002857:Chromium; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D010848:Picolinic Acids; C030614:picolinic acid