Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with chromium picolinate combined with resistance training on the serum level of liver enzymes and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in male patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Methods In this study, participants were 30 male patients with T2D (Mean±SD weight: 75.1±6.3 kg and BMI= 26.1±2.3 kg/m2). They were divided into three groups (two experimental and one control). In addition to resistance training for 8 weeks, experimental groups consumed 400-mg chromium picolinate daily and placebo. Serum levels of liver enzymes, insulin and glucose were measured before and after the training period. Data were analyzed using one-way ACNOVA and Bonferroni correction test (P<0.05).
Results Both resistance training combined with chromium picolinate supplementation (P=0.04) and resistance training with placebo (P=0.11) significantly reduced HOMA-IR compared to the control group. They both also resulted in a significant decrease in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) enzymes level compared to the diabetic control group (P=0.01). Resistance training along with chromium picolinate supplementation (P=0.01) significantly reduced the waist-hip ratio (P=0.04) and fat percentage (P=0.01) compared to controls.
Conclusion training combined with chromium picolinate supplementation is more effective in improving the liver enzymes level in T2D patients.