Inverse Association of Plasma Chromium Levels with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Chromium has long been known as an enhancer of insulin action. However, the role of chromium in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in humans remains controversial. The current study aimed to examine the associations of plasma chromium levels with T2DM and pre-diabetes mellitus (pre-DM). We conducted a case-control study involving 1471 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, 682 individuals with newly diagnosed pre-DM, and 2290 individuals with normal glucose tolerance in a Chinese population from 2009 to 2014. Plasma chromium was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Plasma chromium levels were lower in the T2DM and pre-DM groups than in the control group (median: 3.68 μg/L, 3.61 μg/L, 3.97 μg/L, respectively, p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for T2DM across increasing quartiles of plasma chromium levels were 1 (referent), 0.67 (0.55–0.83), 0.64 (0.51–0.79), and 0.58 (0.46–0.73), respectively (p for trend <0.001). The corresponding odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for pre-DM were 1 (referent), 0.70 (0.54–0.91), 0.67 (0.52–0.88), and 0.58 (0.43–0.78), respectively (p for trend < 0.001). Our results indicated that plasma chromium concentrations were inversely associated with T2DM and pre-DM in Chinese adults.

Association of plasma chromium with metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults: a case-control study

“…Although the pathogenesis of MetS remains unclear, recent interest has focused on the possible involvement of insulin resistance as a linking factor [28]. Coincident with this, our previous study has elaborated the inverse association between plasma chromium concentrations and type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes mellitus in a case-control study [12]. In addition, evidences in animal and in vitro studies supported the association as well.…”

“…There was another case-control study suggesting an association between low chromium levels and increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction [11]. Besides, our previous study found that plasma chromium concentrations were inversely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes mellitus [12].…”

Association of plasma chromium with metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults: a case-control study

“…Coincident with this, the association of plasma chromium with high blood glucose was the strongest among the components of MetS in this study. Our previous study has elaborated the inverse association between plasma chromium concentrations and type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes mellitus in a case-control study [12].…”

“…Besides, our previous study found that plasma chromium concentrations were inversely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes mellitus [12]. Yet some studies did not support the inverse relationship between chromium and MetS [13,14].…”

Chromium‐Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianmai Xiaoke Tablet, for Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

“…As an adjunctive treatment method for T2DM, Chinese herbal medicines have been used in clinical practice for many years [ 17 – 19 ]. Two studies also indicated that plasma chromium concentrations were inversely associated with T2DM and pre-DM in Chinese adults [ 20 , 21 ]. Relevant systematic reviews have shown that chromium can reduce FBG [ 22 ].…”