Chromium Chloride Inhibits TNFα and IL-6 Secretion in Isolated Human Blood Mononuclear Cells Exposed to High Glucose

Introduction

Vascular inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population, and are thus a major public health issue [1] [2]. Epidemiological case-control studies suggest an inverse association between chromium (Cr³⁺) levels in toenails and the risk of myocardial infarction in the general population [3]. Similarly, a recent report within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study has found lower levels of toenail chromium among men with diabetes and CVD compared to healthy control subjects [4].

Chromium supplementation is popular in some countries [4]. The molecular mechanisms by which Cr³⁺ produces its effects on insulin sensitivity and vascular inflammation have not yet been studied. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-6, play a significant role in the development of vascular complications in many models of inflammation, including diabetes [2]. No studies have examined the effect of chromium on secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in any human cell. This is the first study to report that Cr³⁺ supplementation can prevent TNFα and IL-6 secretion in exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) exposed to high glucose concentrations and isolated from the blood of human volunteers. This provides evidence for a novel molecular mechanism by which Cr³⁺ supplementation may protect diabetic patients from vascular inflammation.

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