Pharmacokinetics of chromium-enriched yeast in rats following oral administration

Chromium (Cr) is required for carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolisms in humans and animals. Cr insufficiency is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chromium-enriched yeast (CrY) is a widely used Cr dietary supplement, but its pharmacokinetics remains unavailable. CrY was orally administered to rats at a single dose of 1 mg Cr/kg, and plasma Cr concentration at different time points was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetics of CrY in rats was well fitted to a non-compartmental model. Plasma Cr concentration reached the maximum of 8.68 +/- 2.87 ng/mL at 0.25 h, and gradually decreased to 4.05 +/- 0.47 ng/mL at 24 h. CrY was rapidly absorbed into the blood and was slowly eliminated after the oral administration, which could lead to the accumulation of Cr in vivo.

Automated summary

Chromium (Cr) is essential for carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolisms in humans and animals. Chromium-enriched yeast (CrY) is a commonly used dietary supplement but its pharmacokinetics remains unclear. This study found that CrY was rapidly absorbed into the blood and slowly eliminated after oral administration in rats, which could lead to the accumulation of chromium in vivo.