Type 2 diabetic rats on diet supplemented with chromium malate show improved glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzyme levels and lipid metabolism.

Weiwei Feng,Wei Wang,Huiyu Wu,Ting Zhao,Yun Feng,Liuqing Yang,Daheng Zheng,Fang Li,Xiangyang Wu,Guanghua Mao,Dun Jin,Marta Letizia Hribal

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0125952

Abstract

Our previous study showed that chromium malate improved the regulation of blood glucose in mice with alloxan-induced diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of chromium malate on glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzymes and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. Our results showed that fasting blood glucose, serum insulin level, insulin resistance index and C-peptide level in the high dose group had a significant downward trend when compared with the model group, chromium picolinate group and chromium trichloride group. The hepatic glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucokinase, Glut4, phosphor-AMPKβ1 and Akt levels in the high dose group were significantly higher than those of the model, chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride groups. Chromium malate in a high dose group can significantly increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol level while decreasing the total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared with chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride. The serum chromium content in chromium malate and chromium picolinate group is significantly higher than that of the chromium trichloride group. The results indicated that the curative effects of chromium malate on glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzymes and lipid metabolism changes are better than those of chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride. Chromium malate contributes to glucose uptake and transport in order to improved glycometabolism and glycometabolism-related enzymes.

Highlights

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), which appears after age 40 and accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases, is a serious public health problem [1,2]
Our results showed that fasting blood glucose, serum insulin level, insulin resistance index and C-peptide level in the high dose group had a significant downward trend when compared with the model group, chromium picolinate group and chromium trichloride group
The results indicated that the curative effects of chromium malate on glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzymes and lipid metabolism changes are better than those of chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride

Summary

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), which appears after age 40 and accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases, is a serious public health problem [1,2]. T2D is associated with complications such as learning and memory deficits, changes in intestinal flora, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and psychological distress. Xu et al [9] have reported that T2D patients exhibit changes in intestinal flora. These complications can negatively affect patients’ health and quality of life, especially amongst ethnic minorities and populations living in remote areas [10]. Medical treatment is an effective means of managing T2D [11]. Pharmacological treatment cannot always prevent or alleviate diabetes-related complications. Studies have shown that a healthy diet and exercise can be effective in managing T2D [13,14]

Methods

Results

Conclusion