Low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance and biomimetic [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)(H2O)(3)](+) do not cleave DNA under physiologically-relevant conditions
Jk. Speetjens et al., Low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance and biomimetic [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)(H2O)(3)](+) do not cleave DNA under physiologically-relevant conditions, POLYHEDRON, 18(20), 1999, pp. 2617-2624
Chromium(III) tris(picolinate), Cr(pic)(3), is currently a very popular nut
ritional supplement; however, at physiologically-relevant concentrations, i
t has recently been demonstrated to cleave DNA [J.K, Speetjens, R.A. Collin
s, J.B. Vincent, S.A. Woski, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 12 (1999) 483]. A number o
f other chromium-containing compounds have been proposed as substitutes for
Cr(pic)(3). Of particular interest are low-molecular-weight chromium-bindi
ng substance (LMWCr) and [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)(6)(H2O)(3)](+) 1. The former comp
ound has recently been identified as the biologically active form of chromi
um in mammals, activating the kinase activity of insulin receptor in the pr
esence of insulin. Complex 1 is a functional biomimetic for LMWCr. Both com
pounds have been proposed as possible nutritional supplements and therapeut
ics for adult-onset diabetes. This work demonstrates that these complexes,
unlike Cr(pic)(3), are poor DNA-cleaving agents and may represent safer mat
erials for human consumption. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res
erved.