Chromium supplementation has been highlighted by its biological function in improvement of glucose metabolism. As essential trace nutrition,... Show moreChromium supplementation has been highlighted by its biological function in improvement of glucose metabolism. As essential trace nutrition, chromium complex has great therapeutic potential in the alleviation of metabolic disorders, especially type II diabetes. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of two newly synthesized chromium (III) complexes Cr2(μ-OH)2(C4O4)2(H2O)4·(H2O)2, Cr2(μ-OH)2(μ1,2- C4O4)2(C2H6SO)4·(H2O)2 in comparison with a commercial compound CrCl3·6H2O on glucose uptake, as well as toxicity. We found that with 100 nM insulin stimulus, Cr2(μ- OH)2(C4O4)2(H2O)4·(H2O)2 significantly increased cellular glucose uptake, while Cr2(μ- OH)2(μ1,2-C4O4)2(C2H6SO)4·(H2O)2 inhibited the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Morphology study indicated that a relatively low concentration of these three complexes had little toxicity to cells within 24 h, but a higher concentration would lead to cell death. Cell growth curve supported the notion that the chromium (III) compounds in this study had no obvious cellular toxicity. Therefore, these results suggest that the newly synthesized less toxic chromium has a great potential in improvement of glucose metabolism in response to insulin. This study may provide valuable information in the treatment or management of diabetes. Keywords: Chromium, Insulin, Glucose uptake, Glucose metabolism, diabetes, type II diabetes M.S. in Biology, May 2012 Show less
