Serum chromium levels in Egyptian diabetic patients

A direct association between trace elements and human disease has been observed. The alteration of chromium metabolism has been observed in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate any association between serum chromium levels and diabetes mellitus in the Egyptian population. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes were compared to 20 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects as regards serum chromium levels (measured on atomic absorption spectrometry), fasting and postprandial blood glucose, HbA1C, T.C., T.G., HDL-C, and LDL-C. Serum chromium levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients than in the control subjects (p = 0.035). There was a significant increase in T.C., T.G., and LDL-C in the patient group than the control group (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.000, respectively). A negative correlation was observed between serum chromium level on one hand and HbA1C (p = 0.043), T.C. (p = 0.01), T.G. (p = 0.021), and LDL-C (p = 0.005) on the other hand. Chromium seems to be implicated in the metabolism of blood glucose and lipid profile.