title: Effect of chromium supplementation on glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chromium (Cr) is a trace element involved in glucose homeostasis. We aim to evaluate and quantify the effects of Cr supplementation on A1C and FPG in patients with T2DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search of Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (from database inception to 11/2014) with no language restrictions sought RCTs or cohort studies evaluating Cr supplementation in T2DM vs control and reporting either change in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) or fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Meta-analysis was conducted on each subtype of Cr supplement separately, and was analyzed by random effects model to yield the weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed by using the I(2) statistic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 14 RCTs (n=875 participants, mean age range: 30 to 83 years old, 8 to 24 weeks of follow-up) were identified (Cr chloride: n=3 study, Cr picolinate: n=5 study, brewer's yeast: n=4 study and Cr yeast: n=3 study). Compared with placebo, Cr yeast, brewer's yeast and Cr picolinate did not show statistically significant effects on A1C. Furthermore, compared to control, Cr chloride, Cr yeast and Cr picolinate showed no effect on FPG, however, brewer's yeast showed a statistically significant decrease in FPG -19.23 mg/dL (95% CI=-35.30 to -3.16, I(2)=21%, n=137).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cr supplementation with brewer's yeast may provide marginal benefits in lowering FPG in patients with T2DM compared to placebo however it did not have any effect on A1C.
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, 309 E. Second St, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA. ryin@westernu.edu.
authors.forename: Raynold V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, 309 E. Second St, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA. ophung@westernu.edu.
authors.forename: Olivia J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Phung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002857:Chromium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017608:Chromium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002712:Chlorides; D002857:Chromium; D017608:Chromium Compounds; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D014131:Trace Elements; C017133:chromous chloride; C030614:picolinic acid