Chromium picolinate depressed proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

This in vitro study investigated the effects of trivalent chromium picolinate (CrPic) on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes. The mouse preadipocyte cell line (3T3-L1) used in this study included control and the 50 ppb CrPic groups. Preadipocyte differentiation results showed that the number of differentiated adipocytes and their triacylglycerol content in the CrPic group is significantly less (P < .01) than that in the control group. Transcription factor expression of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors γ in the CrPic group was substantially depressed (P < .0001) compared with that in the control group. Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity in the CrPic group was markedly depressed (P < .0001) compared with that in the control group; fatty acid synthase activity in the CrPic group was also significantly repressed (P < 0.0001). For the proliferation of preadipocytes, the number of cells in the CrPic group was lower than that in the control group (P < .01). Results of this study indicated that 50 ppb CrPic significantly depressed preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.