INTRODUCTION:
Among the supplements used in sports, the mineral chromium has stood out particularly by enhancing the action of insulin route, action extremely important in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. The chromium action seems to have significant action as an adjunct in the dynamics of insulin action.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the glycogen profile and the tissue sensitivity to insulin and pancreatic glucose sensitivity in young and aged rats treated with chromium picolinate.
METHODS:
Wistar rats were used, aged 3 and 24 months, divided into four experimental groups (n = 6), so named: young (Y), young supplemented with chromium picolinate (YP, 80 µg/kg), aged (A) and aged supplemented with chromium picolinate (AP, 80 µg/kg). The insulin sensitivity was assessed by the insulin tolerance test (ITT, 2U/Kg) and pancreatic sensitivity was assessed by the glucose tolerance test (GTT, 2 g/Kg). Statistical analysis used Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test for Normality, followed by ANOVA and Tukey's Post-hoc test, p <0.05.
RESULTS:
The aged group showed lower glycogen reserves compared to the young group; in turn, treatment with chromium picolinate causes an increase in liver reserves of young rats with no effect on aged rats. At the same profile analysis, it was shown that treatment with chromium picolinate promoted an increase in muscle glycogen reserves, effect observed in both young and aged rats. In the young group, no difference was observed in the ITT, but there was a decrease of the area under the curve described in GTT. In the aged group, there was an increase in responsiveness to insulin in the ITT and decrease of the area under the curve.
CONCLUSION:
The chromium picolinate expressed secretagogue and sensitizer action of insulin action with most significant expression in aging muscles.
metabolism; aging; glycogen
