Chromium Picolinate Regulates Bone Metabolism and Prevents Bone Loss in Diabetic Rats.

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is an abnormal metabolic disease caused by long-term hyperglycemia. In this study, a model rat of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes was established, and chromium picolinate (5 mg·kg-1) was given; the changes in blood glucose and body weight were detected before and after administration; and bone mineral density (BMD), bone morphology, bone turnover markers, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress indicators were observed in each group. We found that after chromium picolinate (CP) intervention for 8 weeks, the blood glucose level was decreased; the BMD, the bone histomorphology parameters, and the pathological structure were improved; the expression of bone resorption-related proteins was downregulated; and the expression of bone formation-related proteins was upregulated. Meanwhile, serum antioxidant activity was increased, and inflammatory cytokine levels were decreased. In conclusion, CP could alleviate DOP by anti-oxidation, inhibition of bone turnover, anti-inflammation, and regulation of the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway. Therefore, CP has important application values for further development as a functional food or active medicine in DOP treatment.

Chromium Picolinate Protects against Testicular Damage in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats via Anti-Inflammation, Anti-Oxidation, Inhibiting Apoptosis, and Regulating the TGF-ß1/Smad Pathway.

Chromium picolinate (CP) is an organic compound that has long been used to treat diabetes. Our previous studies found CP could relieve diabetic nephropathy. Thus, we speculate that it might have a positive effect on diabetic testicular injury. In this study, a diabetic rat model was established, and then the rats were treated with CP for 8 weeks. We found that the levels of blood glucose, food, and water intake were reduced, and body weight was enhanced in diabetic rats after CP supplementation. Meanwhile, in CP treatment groups, the levels of male hormone and sperm parameters were improved, the pathological structure of the testicular tissue was repaired, and testicular fibrosis was inhibited. In addition, CP reduced the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines, and decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, CP could ameliorate testicular damage in diabetic rats, as well as being a potential testicle-protective nutrient in the future to prevent the testicular damage caused by diabetes.