The Effect of Exercise Training On Chromium Levels in Brain, Liver, and Spleen Tissues

Abstract

Objective: Chromium (Cr) is a trace element that plays a key role in metabolic reactions and is important in many physiological enzymatic processes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of moderate and strenuous running exercises on Cr levels in rat brain, liver and spleen tissues. Method: Thirty-four Wistar-Albino adult rats were used and divided into a control group (n=12), moderate running group (30 minutes of exercise, n=11), and a strenuous running group (60 minutes of exercise time; n=11). Cr levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: In the frontal lobe and brainstem tissues, Cr levels are significantly higher than the moderate (p=0.035, p=0.041) and strenuous exercise group (p=0.0249, p=0.045). In the liver tissue, the Cr level is significantly higher than the moderate (p=0.28) and strenuous exercise group (p=0.012). The liver Cr levels in the strenuous exercise group were significantly higher than the moderate exercise group (p=0.044). No significant differences were found in spleen Cr levels in comparison with all groups. Conclusion: In our study, high chromium levels were measured in brain and liver tissues with the effect of exercise. As we know, when glucose carriers are present in brain and liver cells, glucose entry is independent of insulin (GLUT-3, GLUT-2, respectively). For this reason, our study suggests that there may be an alternative relationship between chromium and insulin or glucose.

Key words: Chromium, Trace Element, Dietary Supplements, Exercise, Glucose transport

Special Issue of Health Sciences

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-03-20