Urinary chromium loss associated with diabetes is offset by increases in absorption

The results of the current study indicate that diabetic rats have increased urinary Cr loss as a result of their diabetes; however, this increased urinary Cr loss is offset by increased absorption of Cr. Insulin resistant, obese rats have alterations in the rates of Cr transport and distribution compared to lean rats but have similar levels of urinary Cr loss and Cr absorption. Thus, any increases in urinary Cr loss associated with insulin resistance or diabetes are offset by increased absorption. Given that dietary chromium is normally absorbed with only ∼ 1% efficiency, suitable Cr exists in the diet so that a standard diet possesses sufficient chromium to allow for the increases in absorption associated with diabetes. Consequently, supplementing the diet with nutritionally relevant quantities of chromium is not anticipated to have any beneficial effects. Similarly, beneficial effects on plasma variables, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin concentrations, from supra-nutritional doses of Cr(III) complexes should not arise from alleviation of chromium deficiency. These beneficial effects must arise from pharmacological effects of high dose Cr(III) administration.