Chromium and selenium enhance the cellular glucose utilization – An in vitro test

Background: Chromium and selenium, two essential trace elements, may have a key role in glucose homeostasis through the regulation of insulin action on the different human cells. It is an important question whether these elements can influence the glucose metabolism themselves. It is well known that glucose uptake by red blood cells is independent from insulin receptors.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of selenium and chromium in the regulation of glucose uptake of red blood cells, a cell population not having insulin receptor. And clarify the effect of chromium and selenium on insulin level and stability in our novel in vitro model. The role of magnesium in the erythrocyte glucose metabolism was also investigated.

Methods: Washed red blood cell samples obtained from patients with polyglobulia were incubated at 37 degree Centigrade for different time (60, 120 and 180min) and glucose and insulin levels in the supernatants were determined. A novel in vitro method was introduced to study the effect of chromium and magnesium on glucose utilization of human erythrocytes in the presence or absence of selenium.

Results: Erythrocytes incubated in mediums containing chromium with selenium and insulin, or chromium with magnesium and selenium had an increased glucose consumption. However, selenium, chromium, magnesium or insulin themselves did not increase glucose uptake compared to control group. Decrease of insulin levels were the lowest in samples containing cromium, magnesium and selenium compared to control and other combination groups.

Conclusion: These results show that chromium, selenium and magnesium ion has important role in the glucose metabolism of insulin independent cells in the presence of selenium and magnesium. These elements probably have also stabilizing effect on the insulin molecule.