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Effect of Chromium Picolinate on Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Type 2 Diabetes
Interventions
Other: Placebo
Dietary Supplement: chromium picolinate 1000 mcg daily vs placebo
Registration Number
NCT00398853
Lead Sponsor
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Brief Summary

The effect of Chromium to improve glucose levels in diabetes is controversial. The hypothesis of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet of individuals with Type 2 diabetes with chromium picolinate and assessing the effect of the supplementation on insulin sensitivity as assessed with hyperinsulinemic clamps

Detailed Description

Detailed Description:

The primary clinical strategy to improve metabolic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes consists of lifestyle modification combined with pharmacologic intervention. However, alternative strategies, e.g. nutritional supplementation with over-the-counter agents, are extensively practiced by a large number of patients and are frequently undertaken without first informing the medical provider. Unfortunately, considerable controversy exists regarding use of dietary supplements in subjects with diabetes because efficacy data for many of the supplements consists of only uncontrolled studies and anecdotal reports. As such, there is a paucity of data in humans in regard to the effect of most commercially available supplements to improve metabolic abnormalities.

One supplement that has attracted considerable clinical interest is chromium (Cr). However, routine use of Cr in subjects with diabetes is not currently recommended. In part, the controversy surrounding Cr supplementation stems from the lack of definitive randomized trials, the lack of "gold standard" techniques to assess glucose metabolism in the studies reported, the use of differing doses and formulation , and the study of heterogeneous study populations. As such, conflicting data has been reported that has contributed greatly to the confusion among healthcare providers concerning Cr supplementation. In order to provide a comprehensive clinical evaluation of Cr, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. Individuals had baseline measures consisting of oral glucose tolerance testing, body fat and adiposity assessed, and then used established techniques to assess insulin sensitivity with hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. Individuals were evaluated for 6 months at which time repeat testing was done.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • On no meds to alter glucose metabolism
  • age greater than 25 years old
  • Fasting glucose greater than 125 mg/dl at screening
Exclusion Criteria
  • Subjects on insulin
  • Sujbects on meds that alter glucose metabolism
  • Use of glitazones
  • C0-existing disorders in major organ systems such as heart, kidneys, liver

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo
Chromium Picolinatechromium picolinate 1000 mcg daily vs placeboChromium
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Insulin Sensitivity as assessed with hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clampsat study enpoints
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
glucose controlat study endpoints
body weight and fat distribution, myocellular and intrahepatic lipid content as assessed with MRS scansat study endpoints

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

🇺🇸

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

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