Effect of chromium(III) glycinate and picolinate supplementation on antioxidant status and calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels in diabetic rats*

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that changes carbohydrate and lipid levels as well as affecting the body's mineral balance. One of the elements with a potential hypoglycaemic effect is Cr(III). This model study includes assessment of the effect of a new complex - chromium(III) glycinate (Cr(III)Gly) - and the reference compound - chromium(III) picolinate (Cr(III)Pic) - on Ca, Mg, P levels and the antioxidant status of diabetic rats. The study was conducted on 40 male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg kg-1 bw). Subsequently, the rats were fed the AIN-93M diet supplemented with Cr(III) complexes at 10 mg Cr kg-1 of diet for seven weeks. It was shown that diabetes induced by STZ injection led to changes in the distribution between these elements in liver, heart, spleen and decreased the serum total antioxidant status. Supplementation with Cr(III) complexes partially normalised the Mg level in the heart as well as the P level in the liver and spleen of diabetic rats. Additionally, Cr(III)Pic increased the Ca/P ratio in kidneys. On the other hand, Cr(III)Gly reduced the Ca/P ratio in the heart. In summary, Cr(III) compounds affected the levels of Mg and P in diabetic rats, but did not influence the antioxidant status.