Oral Chromium Picolinate Improves Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism and Enhances Skeletal Muscle Glut-4 Translocation in Obese, Hyperinsulinemic (JCR-LA Corpulent) Rats

Abstract

Human studies suggest that chromium picolinate (CrPic) decreases insulin levels and improves glucose disposal in obese and type 2 diabetic populations. To evaluate whether CrPic may aid in treatment of the insulin resistance syndrome, we assessed its effects in JCR:LA-corpulent rats, a model of this syndrome. Male lean and obese hyperinsulinemic rats were randomly assigned to receive oral CrPic [80 microg/(kg. d); n = 5 or 6, respectively) in water or to control conditions (water, n = 5). After 3 mo, a 120-min intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and a 30-min insulin tolerance test were performed. Obese rats administered CrPic had significantly lower fasting insulin levels (1848 +/- 102 vs. 2688 +/- 234 pmol/L; P < 0.001; mean +/- SEM) and significantly improved glucose disappearance (P < 0.001) compared with obese controls. Glucose and insulin areas under the curve for IPGTT were significantly less for obese CrPic-treated rats than in obese controls (P < 0.001). Obese CrPic-treated rats had lower plasma total cholesterol (3.57 +/- 0.28 vs. 4.11 +/- 0.47 mmol/L, P < 0.05) and higher HDL cholesterol levels (1.92 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.37 +/- 0.36 mmol/L, P < 0.01) than obese controls. CrPic did not alter plasma glucose or cholesterol levels in lean rats. Total skeletal muscle glucose transporter (Glut)-4 did not differ among groups; however, CrPic significantly enhanced membrane-associated Glut-4 in obese rats after insulin stimulation. Thus, CrPic supplementation enhances insulin sensitivity and glucose disappearance, and improves lipids in male obese hyperinsulinemic JCR:LA-corpulent rats.

Comparative metal distribution in scalp hair of Pakistani and Irish referents and diabetes mellitus patients

“…Cr is an essential element required for normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Many scientists have demonstrated that a severe deficiency in Cr led to fasting hyperglycemia, glucosuria and impaired growth [42]. Our results are in good agreement with other investigation, which reported that the administration of Cr has a beneficial role on diabetes mellitus patients [43,44].…”

Interaction between essential trace and toxic elements in the scalp hair samples of smokers and alcohol user diabetics

“…Cr is an essential element required for normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Many scientists have demonstrated that a sever Cr deficiency led to fasting -hyperglycemia, glucosuria and impaired growth [52]. Our older patients had lower values of Cr in scalp hair samples which is consistent with other studies [53], where age-related decreases of Cr in hair as compared to matched normal subjects were described.…”

A novel complex of arginine–silicate improves micro- and macrovascular function and inhibits glomerular sclerosis in insulin-resistant JCR:LA-cp rats

“…We have reported previously that the insulin resistance of the cp/cp rat is accompanied by enhanced serine kinase activity and attenuated IRS-1 phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity following insulin stimulation [40,41]. The abnormal signal transduction may well extend to other pathways that are related and that can be upregulated by arginine or NO through as yet unknown mechanisms.…”