Comparison of the potential for developmental toxicity of prenatal exposure to two dietary chromium supplements, chromium picolinate and [Cr₃O(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺, in mice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chromium(III) is generally thought to be an essential trace element that allows for proper glucose metabolism. However, chromium(III) picolinate, Cr(pic) 3 , a popular dietary supplement form of chromium, has been shown to be capable of generating hydroxyl radicals and oxidative DNA damage in rats. The cation1 , Cr3, has been studied as an alternative supplemental source of chromium. It has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower glycated hemoglobin levels in rats, making it attractive as a potential therapeutic treatment for gestational diabetes. To date, no studies have been published regarding the safety of Cr3 supplementation to a developing fetus. METHODS: From gestation days (GD) 6-17, mated CD-1 female mice were fed diets delivering either 25 mg Cr/kg/day as Cr(pic) 3 , 3.3 or 26 mg Cr/kg/day as Cr3, or the diet only to determine if Cr3 could cause developmental toxicity. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for adverse effects. RESULTS: No signs of maternal toxicity were observed. No decrease in fetal weight or significantly increased incidence of skeletal defects was observed in the Cr3 or Cr(pic) 3 exposed fetuses compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to either Cr(pic) 3 or Cr3 at the dosages employed did not appear to cause deleterious effects to the developing offspring in mice. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 83:27-31, 2008.

Effects of Pre- and Postnatal Exposure to Chromium Picolinate or Picolinic Acid on Neurological Development in CD-1 Mice

“…Recently, our laboratory published findings that prenatal exposure to high levels of chromium picolinate resulted in an increased incidence of cervical arch defects [28]. However, although our more recent findings were similar in direction, the differences from control values for this parameter were not statistically significant [29].…”

Potential of Chromium(III) Picolinate for Reproductive or Developmental Toxicity Following Exposure of Male CD-1 Mice Prior to Mating

“…However, the current work utilizing male mice, in combination with earlier studies by Bailey, et al [14][15][16], indicates that in mammals, independent of whether [Cr(pic) 3 ] is …”

“…Our laboratory has published findings that mated female mice exposed to high levels of chromium picolinate resulted in progeny with an increased incidence of cervical arch defects [14]. However, although a similar trend was observed in more recent studies, the differences from control values for this parameter were not statistically significant [15,16].…”

Safety of an oxygen-coordinated niacin-bound chromium(III) complex (NBC): II. Developmental toxicity study in rats

“…Interestingly, several developmental studies on another chromium supplement, namely chromium picolinate (CrPic) showed inconsistently results. Although CrPic was found to be non-teratogenic, exposure of pregnant mice to CrPic resulted in skeletal defects in their offsprings [26][27][28].…”