Effects of Long-Term Exposure to [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)6(H2O)3]+ in Wistar rats fed normal and high-fat diets.

Abstract

The idea that chromium(III) is an essential element has been debated for over 50 years. Just as the element’s essentiality is debated, so are the effects of chromium(III) supplementation, particularly in healthy subjects. Chromium(III) is widely used as a nutritional supplement for weight loss, building of lean muscle mass, and improving glucose and lipid metabolism. In contrast to most chromium supplements, which provide the body with a source of chromium(III), chromodulin is thought to be a biologically active chromium(III)-containing compound in the body that, when bound to insulin receptors, helps the receptors remain active longer. [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)6(H2O)3]+, or Cr3, is a chromodulin biomimetic and is the chromium compound used in this study. The current study evaluates the effects of long-term supplementation on body mass and glucose metabolism in Wistar rats on traditional and cafeteria-style (high fat, high carbohydrate) diets. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) control diet (milled Harlan Teklad LM-485 rodent diet), 2) control diet + 1 mg Cr3/kg body mass/day, 3) a cafeteria-style (CAF) diet (high fat, high carbohydrate), or 4) CAF diet + 1 mg Cr3/kg/day. Cr3 supplementation had no effect on blood glucose levels or responses to glucose and insulin challenges. Rats consuming the CAF + Cr3 diet tended to have a significantly higher body mass than rats consuming the CAF diet, but necropsy results showed no difference in visceral fat or body wall thickness between groups. These data suggest that long-term Cr3 supplementation does not significantly affect body mass in rats consuming a normal diet or metabolic responses in rats consuming either diet. Further study is needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) behind the effect of Cr3 on body mass in rats consuming a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.