title: Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromium is an essential mineral that contributes to normal glucose function and lipid metabolism. This study evaluated the effect of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A four month controlled, single blind, randomized trial was performed with 71 patients with poorly controlled (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]>7%) T2DM divided into 2 groups: Control (n=39, using placebo), and supplemented (n=32, using 600μg/day CrPic). All patients received nutritional guidance according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and kept using prescribed medications. Fasting and postprandial glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and serum ferritin were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CrPic supplementation significantly reduced the fasting glucose concentration (-31.0mg/dL supplemented group; -14.0mg/dL control group; p<0.05, post- vs. pre-treatment, in each group) and postprandial glucose concentration (-37.0mg/dL in the supplemented group; -11.5 mg/dL in the control group; p<0.05). HbA1c values were also significantly reduced in both groups (p<0.001, comparing post- vs. pre-treatment groups). Post-treatment HbA1c values in supplemented patients were significantly lower than those of control patients. HbA1c lowering in the supplemented group (-1.90), and in the control group (-1.00), was also significant, comparing pre- and post-treatment values, for each group (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). CrPic increased serum chromium concentrations (p<0.001), when comparing the supplemented group before and after supplementation. No significant difference in lipid profile was observed in the supplemented group; however, total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c were significantly lowered, comparing pre- and post-treatment period, in the control group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CrPic supplementation had a beneficial effect on glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled T2DM, without affecting the lipid profile. Additional studies are necessary to investigate the effect of long-term CrPic supplementation.
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N-Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-570, Brazil. Electronic address: ananpaiva@gmail.com.
authors: Ana N
authors: AN
authors: Paiva
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Avenida: Nilo Peçanha, 620, Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-300, Brazil. Electronic address: josivanlima@gmail.com.
authors: Josivan G de
authors: JG
authors: Lima
authors: Health Sciences College of Trairi, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Rua Trairí, S/N-Centro-Santa Cruz/RN, CEP 59200-000, Brazil. Electronic address: annacqm@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Anna C Q de
authors: AC
authors: Medeiros
authors: Graduate Student in the Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 3000 Lagoa Nova, Natal-RN CEP 59078-970, Brazil. Electronic address: figueiredoheverton@gmail.com.
authors: Heverton A O
authors: HA
authors: Figueiredo
authors: Graduate Student in the Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 3000 Lagoa Nova, Natal-RN CEP 59078-970, Brazil. Electronic address: raianalourenco.a@hotmail.com.
authors: Raiana L de
authors: RL
authors: Andrade
authors: Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N-Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-570, Brazil. Electronic address: marcelaururahy@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Marcela A G
authors: MA
authors: Ururahy
authors: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N-Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-570, Brazil. Electronic address: adrirezende@yahoo.com.
authors: Adriana A
authors: AA
authors: Rezende
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Avenida: Nilo Peçanha, 620, Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-300, Brazil. Electronic address: brandao-neto@live.com.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Brandão-Neto
authors: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N-Petrópolis, Natal-RN CEP 59012-570, Brazil. Electronic address: mgalmeida84@gmail.com.
authors: Maria das G
authors: Md
authors: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010848:Picolinic Acids; C030614:picolinic acid
keywords: Chromium picolinate; Dietary supplements; Dyslipidemia; Type 2 diabetes mellitus