The effects of chromium picolinate on liver metabolismin chronic exercise induced rats

In this study, the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPik) on serum glucose, AST, ALT and bilirubin levels and liver tissue glycogen, lactate, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, IRS-1, PPAR-γ and SIRT-1 levels in rats have been investigated. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats (8 weeks old) were divided into four groups: 1)Control, 2)Chromium Picolinate, 3) Chronic exercise, 4) Chronic exercise+Chromium picolinate. These rats were fed with 400 μg elemental Cr/kg diet for 6 weeks. Rats were subjected to treadmill exercises for 6 weeks, for durations of 30 mins/day and 5 days/week. Data were analyzed by using the PROC GLM procedure in the SAS packet program to reveal differences between the groups. Statistical significance was accepted as P<0.05.It was observed that serum glucose and liver glycogen levels were decreased in rats who were subjected to these chronic exercise routine and fed with chromium picolinate (P<0.05). However, it was also found out that there was no effect on serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilurubin levels (P>0.05). While liver lactate levels increased with chronic exercise, it has been decreased with chromium picolinate supplementation. Elevated liver G6PD, IRS-1, PPAR-γ and SIRT-1 expression levels were observed in rats subjected to chronic exercise and chromium picolinate (P<0.05). The highest expression levels were observed in the group in which chronic exercise and chromium picolinate were applied together. In conclusion, chronic exercise and chromium picolinate can have a synergistic effect and increase G6PD, IRS-1, PPAR-γ and SIRT-1 liver expression levels. And this may be associated with positive effects on liver metabolism. Keywords: Exercise, Chromium Picolinate, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, Glucokinase.