Effect Of Chromium- Picolinat On Biochemical And Histopathological Altrations In Rats

Abstract

Chromium III tris (picolinate) [Cr(pic)3]is a popular nutritionalsupplement; however its safety has been questioned, especially withregard to its ability to act as a clastogen. The aim of the present workwas to evaluate the biochemical and morphological changes in theliver following oral administration of Cr-picolinate and the possibleprotective effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in rats. Fifty maleSprague Dawly rats were divided into five groups included the controlgroup, the rest four groups treated orally with picolinte (0.8 and 1.5mg /100 g b. w) alone or in combination with Vitamin C (0.5 mg /100g b. w) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that animals treated with Crpicolinatealone at the high dose level (1.5 mg/100 g b.w) showed asignificant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) level and activity ofglutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenate or bloodaccompanied with a significant increase in serum sFas; 8-hydroxy-2 –deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels .The hepatocytesshowed some degenerative changes in the form of swollen cells anddegenerating nuclei, yet some cells showed regeneration by divisionof their nuclei The methyl green pyronin (MGP) stain showed lesslevel of DNA in the nuclei, the cells appeared swollen and fused insome areas. It could be concluded that consumption of Cr-picolinatefor a long time is contributing to health hazards and induced severalhazards to liver. Supplementation with extra amounts of vitamin Cmay be useful to restrain the chromium-induced biochemical andmorphological changes to the liver. It is believed that oxidative stressdue to Cr- picolinate is a factor contributing to this health hazards.Key word: Chromium III tris (picolinate), oxidative stress, DNAdamage.