Chromium Picolinate
Chromium picolinate is a trace metal **nutraceutical** that may be used as an adjunctive treatment for diabetes mellitus and obesity, particularly in cats. * **Clinical Efficacy**: Its efficacy remains controversial in veterinary medicine, and it does not appear to be useful in dogs with diabetes mellitus. * **Biologic Forms**: Trivalent chromium (Cr III) is the biologically active form found in supplements and food, which is distinct from the highly toxic and carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) used in industrial applications. * **Safety**: Generally considered safe at recommended dosages, though its true clinical benefit requires individual patient trials.
Mecanismo: Chromium is an active component of the **glucose tolerance factor (GTF)**, a complex of molecules including glycine, glutamic acid, cysteine, and nicotinic acid. While its exact role in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism is not fully elucidated, it is thought to enhance **insulin receptor** sensitivity and facilitate glucose transport into cells. * **GTF → Insulin Receptor Binding → Enhanced Intracellular Glucose Uptake** * It does *not* lower blood glucose levels in normal, healthy patients.
Dosificación por especie
- For use as an oral hypoglycemic agent · Chromium picolinate 200 micrograms (per cat) PO once a day. · PO · q24h
- For adjunctive treatment of feline obesity · Chromium picolinate 20 micrograms/kg PO every other a day · PO · q48h
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para veterinarios colegiados. Confirme siempre con la ficha técnica vigente y el paciente individual.
Vías de administración
Contraindicaciones
- Renal insufficiency (use with caution)
Efectos adversos
- Cognitive, perceptual, and motor dysfunction (reported in humans receiving the picolinate salt)
Interacciones farmacológicas
- Corticosteroids · May increase the urinary excretion of chromium
- H2 Blockers (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine) or Proton Pump Inhibitors (omeprazole) · May decrease chromium levels by inhibiting their absorption; clinical significance is unclear
- NSAIDs · May increase the absorption and retention of chromium; clinical significance is unlikely
- Zinc · Theoretically, co-administration of zinc with chromium could decrease the oral absorption of both
Monitorización
- Fasting blood glucose
- Appetite and attitude
- Body condition and weight
- PU/PD resolution
- Serum fructosamine levels
- Glycosylated hemoglobin levels
Sobredosis
Little information on acute overdoses is available. In humans, there are case reports of women developing renal failure after taking excessive doses of chromium picolinate.
La referencia de fármacos de VetSheet está destinada a veterinarios colegiados como apoyo a la decisión clínica, no sustituye el juicio profesional ni la ficha técnica vigente del fabricante.