DIETARY CHROMIUM ENHANCES INSULIN-SECRETION IN PERFUSED RAT PANCREAS

The effects of dietary chromium (Cr) on insulin secretion were compare d in perfused pancreata from Cr-deficient ( - Cr, n = 5) and Cr-supple mented ( + Cr, n = 6) rats. Pancreata of overnight fasted animals were perfused after 21 weeks on a low Cr diet using single-pass technique with a 40-min glucose stimulus (13.9 mmole/L). First phase insulin rel ease was 40-50% lower in pancreata from - Cr as compared to those of Cr rats (P < .05). No differences in second phase insulin release wer e observed. These observations suggest that preservation of normal bet a-cell glucose sensitivity may be a significant function of dietary ch romium. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.