In HIV patients, fasting insulin levels decrease with chromium supplementation. This study is to determine if chromium nicotinate supplementation at 400ug/day for 16 weeks will improve insulin resistance in HIV patients with metabolic abnormalities.
This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study where patients will be supplemented for 16 weeks with either chromium nicotinate 400 ug/day or placebo and then crossover to the opposite treatment for another 16 weeks. Each soft gel capsule of chromium contains 200ug of chromium and patients will take 1 capsule twice a day or its placebo. Placebo contains di-calcium phosphate in a soft gel capsule and its appearance is similar to the chromium capsules.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
52
University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
insulin resistance calculated using fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels in blood
HOMA-IR
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
blood lipid profile (triglycerides [TG], cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein [HDL])
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, bioelectric impedance analysis and skin fold measurement
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
oxidative stress
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
plasma chromium
Time frame: BL & 16 weeks
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