Chrome

Cr³⁺ is biologically active, Cr⁶⁺ is toxic.

Chromium in periodic table

Function

Trivalent form of chromium is used as a glucose tolerance factor. It stimulates the effect of insulin and increases glucose tolerance. It increases HDL levels in healthy people.

Conversely, professional exposure to hexavalent chromium has allergic effects and is carcinogenic.

Chrome

Source

The source of chromium might be:

• yeast (brewer's);
• meat;
• cheeses, wheat germ and nuts.

Recommended daily intake

Recommended daily intake of chrome is 150-200 μg.

Deficiency

Chromium deficiency can result in:

• reduction of glucose tolerance up to type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• hyperlipidemia;
• acceleration of atherosclerotic changes.

Toxicity

Toxic is mainly hexavalent chrome - it easily passes through membranes and binds DNA → DNA-DNA crosslinks – contributing to mutagenesis. It enters the body in the form of emissions from the air and it damages the respiratory tract, conjunctiva, kidneys.

Links

Related articles

• Trace elements

External links

• Chrom (česká wikipedie)
• Chromium (anglická wikipedie)

Source

• BENEŠ, Jiří. Studijní materiály [online]. ©2007. [cit. 2009]. <http://www.jirben.wz.cz/>.

Reference

• SCHNEIDERKA, Petr. Kapitoly z klinické biochemie. 2. edition. Karolinum, 2004. ISBN 80-246-0678-X.