Effect of Chromium on Glucose Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Chromium plays an essential role in normal carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, and its deficiency is implicated in diabetes mellitus. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of chromium picolinate on glycemic control. METHODS: Sixty subjects who were referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and mean BMI 28.5kg/m(2) were randomized into the picolinate group (received 200 mu g chromium picolinate/day) and the placebo group (received placebo). All patients used stable oral anti-diabetic agents (OADs). The serum level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbAlc), and blood glucose 2 hours postprandial (BS2hpp) was measured before and after the 90 days of the treatment. RESULTS: In the chromium picolinate group the level of HbAlc, BS2hpp and FPG significantly decreased after 90 days of treatment (P<0.001). In the placebo group, although the level of HbA1c and BS2hpp did decrease after 90 days of treatment, the difference in values between baseline and 90 days after treatment was not significant. However, the level of FPG significantly decreased after 90 days. The difference between chromium and control group regarding HbA1c, BS2hpp and FPG level after 90 days treatment was not significant(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although administration of chromium picolinate as an adjunct to a stable regimen of OADs decreased BS2hpp, FPG and HbA1c levels in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is not more effective than placebo.