Exposure of pregnant mice to chromium picolinate results in skeletal defects in their offspring.
BACKGROUND
Chromium(III) picolinate, [Cr(pic)(3)], is a widely marketed dietary supplement. However, Cr(pic)(3) has been associated with oxidative damage to DNA in rats and mutations and DNA fragmentation in cell cultures. In isolated case reports, Cr(pic)(3) supplementation has been said to cause adverse effects, such as anemia, renal failure, liver dysfunction, and neuronal impairment. To date, no studies have been published regarding the safety of chromium picolinate supplementation to a developing fetus, although Cr(pic)(3) has been recommended for pregnant women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.


METHODS
From gestation days (GD) 6-17, pregnant CD-1 mice were fed diets containing either 200 mg/kg Cr(pic)(3), 200 mg/kg CrCl(3), 174 mg/kg picolinic acid, or the diet only to determine if Cr(pic)(3), CrCl(3), or picolinic acid could cause developmental toxicity. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for adverse effects.


RESULTS
The incidence of bifurcated cervical arches was significantly increased in fetuses from the Cr(pic)(3) group as compared to the diet-only group. Fetuses in the picolinic acid-treated group had an incidence double that of the control group; however, this increase was not statistically significant. Fetuses in the CrCl(3) group did not differ from the controls in any variable examined. No maternal toxicity was observed in any of the treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
High maternal oral exposures to chromium picolinate can cause morphological defects in developing offspring of mice.
Bailey
M M
MM
Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA.
Boohaker
J G
JG
Sawyer
R D
RD
Behling
J E
JE
Rasco
J F
JF
Jernigan
J J
JJ
Hood
R D
RD
Vincent
J B
JB
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D010848:Picolinic Acids; C030614:picolinic acid