Effect Of Chromium- Picolinat On Biochemical And Histopathological Altrations In Rats

Abstract

Chromium III tris (picolinate) [Cr(pic)3]is a popular nutritional
supplement; however its safety has been questioned, especially with
regard to its ability to act as a clastogen. The aim of the present work
was to evaluate the biochemical and morphological changes in the
liver following oral administration of Cr-picolinate and the possible
protective effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in rats. Fifty male
Sprague Dawly rats were divided into five groups included the control
group, the rest four groups treated orally with picolinte (0.8 and 1.5
mg /100 g b. w) alone or in combination with Vitamin C (0.5 mg /100
g b. w) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that animals treated with Crpicolinate
alone at the high dose level (1.5 mg/100 g b.w) showed a
significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) level and activity of
glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenate or blood
accompanied with a significant increase in serum sFas; 8-hydroxy-2 –
deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels .The hepatocytes
showed some degenerative changes in the form of swollen cells and
degenerating nuclei, yet some cells showed regeneration by division
of their nuclei The methyl green pyronin (MGP) stain showed less
level of DNA in the nuclei, the cells appeared swollen and fused in
some areas. It could be concluded that consumption of Cr-picolinate
for a long time is contributing to health hazards and induced several
hazards to liver. Supplementation with extra amounts of vitamin C
may be useful to restrain the chromium-induced biochemical and
morphological changes to the liver. It is believed that oxidative stress
due to Cr- picolinate is a factor contributing to this health hazards.

Key word: Chromium III tris (picolinate), oxidative stress, DNA
damage.