Chromium Picolinate Modulates Serotonergic Properties and Carbohydrate Metabolism in a Rat Model of Diabetes

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) has shown both antidepressant and antidiabetic properties. In this study, the effects of CrPic on serotonergic properties and carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic rats were evaluated. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. (1) The control group received only standard diet (8?% fat). (2) The CrPic group was fed standard diet and CrPic (80?μg CrPic per kilogram body mass (b.m.)/day), for 10?weeks (microgram/kilogram b.m./day). (3) The HFD/STZ group fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 40?% fat) for 2?weeks and then received streptozotocin (STZ, 40?mg/kg, i.p.) (i.v.) HFD-STZ-CrPic group treated as the previous group and then were administered CrPic. CrPic administration to HFD/STZ-treated rats increased brain chromium levels and improved all measurements of carbohydrate metabolism and serotonergic properties (P?