EFFECT OF CHROMIUM- PICOLINAT ON BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ALTRATIONS IN RATS

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 Cr-picolinate 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.