Chromium is an essential
micronutrient;
chromium deficiency has been reported to cause
insulin resistance,
hyperglycemia and
hyperlipidemia. The aim was to investigate the effect of
chromium supplementation on
insulin-resistance, other metabolic abnormalities, and body composition in people living with HIV. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fifty-two HIV-positive subjects with elevated
glucose,
lipids, or evidence of body fat redistribution, and who had
insulin-resistance based on the calculation of homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA-IR > or = 2.5) were assessed. Subjects who were on
insulin or
hypoglycemic medications were excluded. Subjects were randomized to receive either 400 microg/day
chromium-
nicotinate or placebo for 16 weeks. Forty-six subjects, 23 in each group, completed the study. Fasting blood
insulin,
glucose,
lipid profile and body composition were measured before and after intervention.
Chromium was tolerated without side effects and resulted in a significant decrease in HOMA-IR (median (IQR) (pre:4.09 (3.02-8.79); post: 3.66 (2.40-5.46), p=0.004),
insulin (pre: 102 (85-226); post: 99 (59-131) pmol/L, p=0.003),
triglycerides, total body fat mass (mean+/-SEM) (pre: 17.3+/-1.7; post: 16.3+/-1.7 kg; p=0.002) and trunk fat mass (pre: 23.8+/-1.9; post: 22.7+/-2.0 %; p=0.008).
Blood glucose,
C-peptide, total, HDL and
LDL cholesterol, and
hemoglobin A1c remained unchanged. Biochemical parameters did not change in the placebo group except for
LDL cholesterol which increased significantly.
Body weight and medication profile remained stable throughout the study for both groups. In summary,
chromium improved
insulin resistance, metabolic abnormalities, and body composition in HIV+ patients. This suggests that
chromium supplements alleviate some of the antiretroviral-associated metabolic abnormalities.