Serum chromium does not predict glucose tolerance in late pregnancy

Background: Chromium is an essential element in human nutrition. Serum conc entrations of chromium are not well characterized during pregnancy or in ge stational diabetes mellitus. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether low plasma chromium concentrations (less than or equal to3 nmol/L) are associated with altered glucose, insulin, or lipid concentrations during pregnancy. Design: The study was conducted prospectively and took place at the medical obstetric clinic of a tertiary referral hospital. Seventy-nine women with abnormal results of a 50-g glucose challenge test in the third trimester of pregnancy were studied. All women had a formal 75-g oral-glucose-tolerance test, and fasting insulin, lipid, and chromium concentrations were determi ned. Chromium was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectromet ry Results: The median chromium concentration was 2 nmol/L (95% CI: 0, 12). Th ere were no significant differences in age, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids , calculated insulin resistance, or calculated beta cell function between w omen with normal and those with abnormal(less than or equal to3 nmol/L) chr omium concentrations. Conclusions: Plasma chromium during pregnancy does not correlate with gluco se intolerance, insulin resistance, or serum lipids. Plasma chromium concen trations may not accurately reflect tissue stores of chromium. Several tria ls showed a beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose tolera nce, insulin, and lipids. A method for assessing body chromium stores is re quired to allow further study.