title: Chromium-picolinate induced ocular changes: Protective role of ascorbic acid.
abstract: Chromium-picolinate (Cr-picolinate) is a popular nutritional supplement; however its safety has been questioned with regard to its ability to act as a clastogen. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the biochemical, histological and morphological changes in the cornea and lens following oral administration of Cr-picolinate and the possible protective effect of Vitamin C. Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups included the control group, the groups treated with Cr-picolinate (0.8 and 1.5 mg/100 g b.w.) alone or in combination with Vitamin C (0.5 mg/100 g b.w.) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the high dose of Cr-picolinate induced a significant decrease in SOD, GSH, Na(+)-, K(+)-ATPase levels, and a significant increase in MDA level. Severe morphological and histological changes in the cornea and lens accompanied with a decrease in the total soluble protein of the lens homogenate and changes in the crystalline fractions in lens. Vitamin C supplementation succeeded to restore these changes to great extent. It could be concluded that consumption of Cr-picolinate for a long time induced several hazards to cornea and lens. Supplementation with extra amounts of Vitamin C may be useful to restrain the Cr-picolinate induced ocular changes.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amany A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Sawsan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: Mosaad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdel-Wahhab
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C030614:picolinic acid