Chromium and Insulin Resistance
Chromium and Insulin Resistance
Chromium is an essential nutrient for the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance and its
 deficiency causes insulin resistance. Chromium administration has also been shown in several
 studies to lower glucose and insulin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, we
 propose to perform a placebo-controlled study of chromium picolinate administration in a
 cohort of non-obese, non-diabetic, insulin resistant subjects. These subjects will be
 randomized to 16 weeks of therapy with either 500 mcg twice a day of Chromium or placebo.
Chromium is an essential nutrient for the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance and its
 deficiency causes insulin resistance. Chromium administration has also been shown in several
 studies to lower glucose and insulin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Moreover,
 studies in humans, animals and cell culture indicate that chromium enhances insulin
 signaling. While these studies suggest that chromium administration increases insulin
 sensitivity, it has not been directly demonstrated that chromium has an effect in well
 defined insulin resistant subjects independent of hyperglycemia. Accordingly, we propose to
 perform a placebo-controlled study of chromium picolinate administration in a cohort of
 non-obese, non-diabetic, insulin resistant subjects. The insulin sensitivity of 80 subjects
 will be measured by a euglycemic insulin clamp. Approximately 40 insulin resistant subjects
 will be randomized to 16 weeks of therapy with either 500 ug twice a day of chromium
 picolinate or placebo. To quantitate the chromium-induced improvements, euglycemic
 hyperinsulinemic clamps to evaluate insulin sensitivity, OGTT using deuterated glucose to
 evaluate glycolytic glucose disposal, and muscle biopsies to evaluate insulin signaling
 pathways, will be performed before and after treatment. We believe these studies will (1)
 confirm the beneficial effect of chromium on insulin sensitivity; (2) further our
 understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chromium action; and (3) because these insulin
 resistant subjects are at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, the Metabolic
 Syndrome, and coronary artery disease (CAD), a demonstration of the beneficial effects of
 chromium on insulin action could ultimately have important public health consequences.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Not exercising regularly, healthy, non-diabetic.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, HIV, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal liver
 enzymes, abnormal TSH levels, other abnormal lab values.