The effect of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation on glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Preclinical studies have shown that the combination of chromium picolinate and biotin significantly enhances glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and enhances glucose disposal. The present pilot study was conducted to determine if supplementation with chromium picolinate and biotin can improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with suboptimal glycemic control despite use of oral antihyperglycemic agents.


METHODS
Forty-three subjects with impaired glycemic control (2-h glucose >200 mg/dL; glycated hemoglobin >or=7%), despite treatments with oral antihyperglycemic agents, were randomized to receive 600 microg of chromium as chromium picolinate and biotin (2 mg/day) (Diachrome(, Nutrition 21, Inc., Purchase, NY) in addition to their prestudy oral antihyperglycemic agent therapy. Measurements of glycemic control and blood lipids were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks, there was a significantly greater reduction in the total area under the curve for glucose during the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test for the treatment group (mean change -9.7%) compared with the placebo group (mean change +5.1%, P < 0.03). Significantly greater reductions were also seen in fructosamine (P < 0.03), triglycerides (P < 0.02), and triglycerides/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P < 0.05) in the treatment group. No significant adverse events were attributed to chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study demonstrates that supplementation with a combination of chromium picolinate and biotin in poorly controlled patients with diabetes receiving antidiabetic therapy improved glucose management and several lipid measurements. Chromium picolinate/ biotin supplementation may represent an effective adjunctive nutritional therapy to people with poorly controlled diabetes with the potential for improving lipid metabolism.
Singer
Gregory M
GM
Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8017, USA. Gregory.singer@yale.edu
Geohas
Jeff
J
D000328:Adult; D001710:Biotin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D001710:Biotin; C030614:picolinic acid