The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect and safety of
chromium-containing milk
powder in patients with
type 2 diabetes mellitus. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Taiwan. A total of 60 patients with
type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 30 to 75 years, and on a dose of
gliclazide sulfonylurea agent (< or =160 mg/d) for at least 3 months were enrolled. Their
glycosylated hemoglobin ranged from 7.5% to 12%, fasting plasma
glucose (FPG) from 140 to 250 mg/dL, and body mass index from 20 to 35 kg/m(2). The subjects were divided into 2 groups, one group to receive
chromium-containing milk
powder (
chromium 200 microg/20 g milk
powder) and the other to receive placebo twice a day for 16 weeks. Frequently sampled intravenous
glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed before and
after treatment. The
chromium group demonstrated a lower FPG and fasting
insulin (-38.1 +/- 9.2 vs 63 +/- 8. 5 mg/dL and -1.7 +/- 0.2 vs 1.9 +/- 0.3 microU/mL, respectively; P < .05), especially in male patients (-41 +/- 9.2 vs 85 +/- 11.7 mg/dL and -2.7 +/- 0.2 vs 3.1 +/- 0.3 microU/mL, respectively; P < .01), at the end of the study. Lower
glycosylated hemoglobin was observed in
chromium-treated male patients (-1.1 +/- 0. 5 vs 0.7 +/- 0. 2; P < .05). However, there were no significant changes in other metabolic parameters (
lipid profiles including total
cholesterol,
triglyceride,
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), except improvement of
insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment for
insulin resistance and
insulin sensitivity index from frequently sampled intravenous
glucose tolerance test) observed in male patients (-2.1 +/- 1.1 vs -0.41 +/- 1.12 and 0.18 +/- 0.11 vs -0.15 +/- 0. 2, respectively; P < .05). There were no adverse events in both groups, except for mild complaints in the
chromium group on
constipation (5%) and
flatulence (5%). Intake of milk
powder containing 400 microg/d of
chromium for 16 weeks in subjects with
type 2 diabetes mellitus resulted in lowering of FPG, fasting
insulin, and improvement of metabolic control in male patients.