Chromium propionate enhances insulin sensitivity in growing cattle

Abstract

Thirty-six Angus and Angus×Simmental heifers, averaging 291 kg, were used to determine the effects of dietary Cr, in the form of Cr propionate (Cr Prop), on glucose metabolism and serum insulin concentrations following glucose administration. Heifers were stratified by body weight (BW) within a breed and randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of 0, 3, 6, or 9 mg of supplemental Cr/d from Cr Prop. Based on dry matter (DM) intakes, the daily doses of Cr were equivalent to 0.47, 0.94, and 1.42 mg of supplemental Cr/kg of DM. Heifers were individually fed a corn silage-based diet at a level of 2% of BW. Each heifer was also fed 0.45 kg of a ground corn supplement daily that served as a carrier for supplemental Cr. Glucose tolerance tests were performed on d 44 of the study. Glucose was infused via jugular catheters at a level of 0.45 g/kg of BW(0.75) over a course of 1 to 2 min. Blood samples were collected at -10, 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min relative to glucose dosing for glucose and insulin determination. Area under the glucose response curve was lower (1,603 vs. 1,964 mg/dL per minute) in heifers supplemented with Cr from 0 to 45 min following glucose challenge. Serum insulin concentrations were lower in Cr-supplemented heifers than in controls following glucose infusion. The molar ratio of insulin to glucose was also lower in Cr-supplemented heifers relative to controls. Serum insulin and serum insulin to glucose ratios did not differ among heifers supplemented with 3, 6, or 9 mg of Cr/d. Results indicate that Cr Prop supplementation increased tissue sensitivity to insulin in growing heifers. Based on insulin sensitivity, Cr requirements (as Cr Prop) of growing heifers can be met by supplementing with 3 mg of Cr/d or 0.47 mg of Cr/kg of DM.

Long-Term Exposure to [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)6(H2O)3]+ in Wistar Rats Fed Normal or High-Fat Diets Does Not Alter Glucose Metabolism

“…Similar results on insulin sensitivity have been observed in studies with cattle [23]. Cr3 is more water-soluble than chromium nicotinate and chromium picolinate (the two most popular chromium supplements) and does not break down in the GI tract like chromium chloride and chromium nicotinate [24].…”

Nutritional Interventions to Alleviate the Negative Consequences of Heat Stress

“…Little is known about actual dietary chromium requirements, and it is possible that in situations in which dietary chromium improves insulin function, the supplemental amount is actually replenishing a deficiency in the diet. Heifers supplemented with increasing amounts of chromium had increased insulin sensitivity (166), suggesting that chromium plays an essential role in glucose metabolism in ruminants. Because glucose use predominates during heat stress, chromium supplementation may improve thermal tolerance or production in heat-stressed animals.…”

Potential nutritional strategies for the amelioration or prevention of high rigor temperature in cattle – a review

“…However, when organic forms of chromium have been used, there have been consistent improvements in insulin sensitivity in ruminants fed dietary chromium. For example, heifers supplemented with chromium propionate had lower serum insulin concentrations following a glucose infusion (in non-fasted animals), although this did not appear to alter glucose uptake, perhaps indicating increased tissue insulin sensitivity (Spears et al 2012). Holstein calves supplemented with chromium in summer had a reduced insulin response (~30%) to a glucose infusion compared with control animals, suggesting improved efficiency of insulin (Yari et al 2010).…”