Effect of chromium on the insulin resistance in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Chromium deficiency in diabetic patients is a debatable problem. The prevailing opinion suggests the presence of low serum concentrations in such patients and therefore an early, long-term addition of chromium to the standard therapy is recommended.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chromium on the insulin resistance in diabetic patients with type II diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
We have studied a total of 34 overweight patients with type II diabetes mellitus, who were distributed in two study sub-groups--patients with very good metabolic control and patients with bad control. For sixty days the patients of both groups received 30 microg of chromium picolinate as food additive. We measured the serum concentration of chromium (using atom-absorption methods), immune-reactive insulin and the insulin resistance index at baseline and at the end of the two-month period.


RESULTS
The serum concentrations of chromium was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in the healthy individuals used as controls (2.18 +/- 0.87 nmol/l versus 4.03 +/- 0.96 nmol/l; p < 0.001). We found a significant decrease of the immune-reactive insulin and the insulin resistance index after a two-month application of chromium 30 microg daily (1 tablet of chrome picolinate). The effects of this trace element are analysed in the light of an improved first phase of secretion of insulin or facilitated post-receptor insulin sensibility as a way of potentiating the insulin action.


CONCLUSIONS
Chromium included early in the complex therapy of diabetes is beneficial in the reduction of the degree of insulin resistance.
Vladeva
Stefka V
SV
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic diseases, Medical University, Plovdiv, 15A Vassil Aprilov St., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Terzieva
Dora D
DD
Arabadjiiska
Desislava T
DT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002857:Chromium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002857:Chromium