Elevated Urinary Cr Loss Induces a Reduction in Renal Cr Concentration and the Negative Cr Balance in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Chromium (Cr) is an essential trace element and is important for normal carbohydrate metabolism, and its deficiency in animals can cause a diabetic-like state. Human and experimental animal studies suggest that urinary Cr excretion is increased in diabetic populations. To investigate whether hyperglycemia-induced elevation of urinary Cr excretion reduces tissue Cr storage conditions, we assessed total Cr balance and Cr distribution in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Male C57BL mice were randomly assigned to STZ or control groups and their urine was collected 7, 14, 21 and 28d after STZ injection. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrument equipped with a dynamic reaction cell was used for determination of Cr in urine, plasma and tissues samples. The urinary excretions of Cr were 15.4±3.0 and 356±62ng/d, and the renal Cr concentrations were 0.85±0.12 and 0.17±0.03ng/mg for the control and diabetes groups, respectively (p<0.01), after 28d. The Cr balance in STZ-treated mice was distinctly negative due to the increase in urinary Cr loss (p<0.01). These results suggest that in mice, STZ induces a reduction in renal Cr concentration and total negative Cr balance caused by an increase in urinary Cr output.