Background and Aims Chromium and cysteine supplementation have been shown to improve glucose metabolism in animal studies. This study examined the hypothesis that chromium dinicocysteinate (CDNC), a complex of chromium and L-cysteine, is beneficial in lowering oxidative stress, vascular inflammation and glycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Type 2 diabetic patients enrolled in this study were given placebo for one month for stabilization and then randomized into one of three groups: placebo (P), chromium picolinate (CP) or CDNC, after which they received daily oral supplementation for 3 months. Of the 100 patients enrolled in the study, 74 patients completed it. There were 25 patients in the P supplemented group, 25 in the CP supplemented and 24 in the CDNC supplemented group who completed the study. Blood markers of glycemia, vascular inflammation, HOMA insulin resistance and oxidative stress were determined at randomization and after 3 months of supplementation with P, CP or CDNC. Results There was a significant decrease at 3 months in insulin resistance (p=0.02) and in the levels of protein oxidation (p=0.02) and TNF-α (p=0.01) in the CDNC supplemented cohort compared to baseline. However, there was no statistically significant change in these markers in the CP supplemented group compared to baseline. Insulin levels significantly decreased(p=0.01) for subjects receiving CDNC but not CP. There was no significant impact of supplementation on HbA1c or glucose levels in either of the groups. Conclusions CDNC supplementation lowers insulin resistance by reducing blood levels of TNF-α, insulin, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, CDNC supplementation has potential as an adjunct therapy for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

African Americans (AA) have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and vitamin D (VD) deficiency compared with Caucasians. Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an important signaling molecule. This study examined the hypothesis that blood levels of H(2)S are lower in AA type 2 diabetic patients (T2D). Fasting blood was obtained from T2D and healthy controls. Results showed a significant decrease in plasma levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and H(2)S in AA T2D but not in Caucasian T2D when compared with those of respective age- and race-matched healthy controls. Plasma VD levels were significantly lower in AA T2D compared with Caucasian T2D. Cell culture studies demonstrate that 1,25(OH)(2)-VD supplementation significantly increased expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), H(2)S formation, and cAMP secretion, but decreased reactive oxygen species in high glucose-treated U937 monocytes. This suggests that VD supplementation upregulates CSE and H(2)S formation and decreases oxidative stress, and that VD deficiency may contribute to the malfunctioning of H(2)S signaling and thus a higher incidence of vascular inflammation in AA. These results lead to the hypothesis that VD supplementation can replenish blood concentrations of H(2)S and cAMP and lower oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in AA T2D.

Introduction: Sleep deficits associated with sleep apnea and insomnia increase the risk of vascular inflammation and insulin resistance. This study examined the hypothesis that inflammation markers are higher in those diabetic patients who experience sleep deficits compared with those without any history of a sleep disorder. Methods: Fasting blood was obtained after written informed consent, and sleep disorder histories were obtained from type 2 diabetic patients (n = 81) attending clinics of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.Results: There was a significant correlation between body weight and leptin, and leptin in turn was significantly correlated with 10-kDa interferon-g-induced protein (IP-10) levels and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. Fasting blood levels of leptin, IP-10, and insulin resistance were significantly elevated in patients with sleep deficits compared with diabetics with normal sleep patterns. There were no differences in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) or fasting glucose in patients with sleep deficits compared with those with normal sleep patterns. Sleep deficits increase circulating levels of leptin, IP-10, and insulin resistance compared to levels seen in patients with diabetes who reported no difficulty with sleep. Patients with sleep apnea had significantly lower hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) levels compared with patients with normal sleep patterns or patients with insomnia. Low levels of circulating H 2 S could contribute to higher vascular inflammation in patients with sleep apnea. Conclusions: These results suggest that sleep apnea is associated with a decrease in circulating H 2 S and sleep disorders increase the risk of inflammation and insulin resistance, which can contribute to the increased risk of vascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes.