CAN ELEVATED CHROMIUM INDUCE SOMATOPSYCHIC RESPONSES

The possible somatopsychological effects of chromium (Cr) was investig ated in a population of patients, from a surgical ward of our hospital , who required total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions, and who bec ame exposed to various amounts of this metal from this treatment. The study involved a questionnaire as well as biochemical tests which incl uded serum Cr and other selected trace metals. The renal status for al l eligible patients was within normal parameters. The patient populati on varied in age, pathology, surgical treatment, and duration on TPN. The results showed that every patient who received TPN had an increase d serum Cr level; some increases were up to 50-fold above the normal r eference level for serum Cr. Although statistical analysis failed to s how any significant statistical relationship between an increased seru m Cr and the investigated somatopsychological disturbances, this effec t cannot be ruled out since one case did show all the dream disturbanc es. Considering these cases, the action of sedative medications that m ay suppress the effects of Cr, cannot be ruled out. As Cr(III) may be potentially genotoxic at high concentrations, infusion of this metal o ver long time periods should be avoided. Supplementation of Cr in TPN solutions appears to be unnecessary for short-term TPN because this me tal is a known contaminant of these solutions. Efforts are required to find TPN nutrients with low or no Cr contamination.