Effect of chromium on the insulin resistance in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Chromium deficiency in diabetic patients is a debatable problem. The prevailing opinion suggests the presence of low serum concentrations in such patients and therefore an early, long-term addition of chromium to the standard therapy is recommended. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chromium on the insulin resistance in diabetic patients with type II diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have studied a total of 34 overweight patients with type II diabetes mellitus, who were distributed in two study sub-groups--patients with very good metabolic control and patients with bad control. For sixty days the patients of both groups received 30 microg of chromium picolinate as food additive. We measured the serum concentration of chromium (using atom-absorption methods), immune-reactive insulin and the insulin resistance index at baseline and at the end of the two-month period. RESULTS: The serum concentrations of chromium was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in the healthy individuals used as controls (2.18 +/- 0.87 nmol/l versus 4.03 +/- 0.96 nmol/l; p < 0.001). We found a significant decrease of the immune-reactive insulin and the insulin resistance index after a two-month application of chromium 30 microg daily (1 tablet of chrome picolinate). The effects of this trace element are analysed in the light of an improved first phase of secretion of insulin or facilitated post-receptor insulin sensibility as a way of potentiating the insulin action. CONCLUSION: Chromium included early in the complex therapy of diabetes is beneficial in the reduction of the degree of insulin resistance.