Quest for the molecular mechanism of chromium action and its relationship to diabetes

Despite forty years of research on the potential role of chromium in carboh ydrate and lipid metabolism, significant progress has only recently been ma de regarding the mode of action of chromium at a molecular level. The oligo peptide low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) may functio n as part of a novel insulin-signaling autoamplification mechanism. The pro posed mechanism of action also sheds some light on the potential of chromiu m-containing compounds as nutritional supplements or in the treatment of ad ult-onset diabetes and other conditions. The potential relationship between the results of recent studies on diabetic patients and the proposed mode o f action of LMWCr are discussed.