While trivalent chromium has been shown at high doses to have pharmacological effects improving insulin resistance in rodent models of insulin resistance, the mechanism of action of chromium at a molecular level is not known. The chromium-binding and transport agent low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) has been proposed to be the biologically active form of chromium. LMWCr has recently been shown to be comprised of a heptapeptide of the sequence EEEEDGG. This peptide binds 4 equivalents of Cr<sup>3+</sup>, when administered intravenously to mice is able to decrease area under the curve in intravenous glucose tolerance tests, and can also restore insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes rendered insulin resistant by treating them with a high-glucose media. The effects of the Cr-peptide complex have been proposed to result from direct interaction with the insulin signaling pathway. The effects of Cr<sup>3+</sup>, the peptide, and the Cr-peptide complex on the activity of individual members of the insulin signaling cascade have been investigated and will be presented.

Effects of chromium-binding peptide on enzymes of the insulin signaling cascade

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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