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Serum chromium levels showed no significant age-related changes in the overall study group. However, males exhibited a notable increase in serum chromium with advancing age.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Chromium is an essential trace element involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
- Understanding chromium levels in relation to demographic factors like age and sex is important for nutritional and clinical assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum chromium levels and age in a general population.
- To explore potential sex-specific differences in serum chromium concentrations across age groups.
Main Methods:
- Serum chromium levels were quantified in 81 adult subjects (56 males, 25 females).
- Participants were stratified into age groups (under 60 and over 60 years).
- Statistical analysis, including correlation (r) and p-values, was used to assess age-related trends.
Main Results:
- Overall, no significant correlation was found between serum chromium levels and increasing age (p > 0.1).
- Mean serum chromium was 1.6 ppb (<60 yrs) vs. 1.9 ppb (>60 yrs), not statistically significant overall.
- Males demonstrated a statistically significant increase in serum chromium with age, from 1.5 ppb to 2.1 ppb.
Conclusions:
- Serum chromium levels do not appear to change significantly with age in the general population studied.
- A specific age-related increase in serum chromium was observed in males.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind sex-specific chromium level variations.
Abstract:
Serum chromium levels were measured in 81 subjects (56 males and 25 females) with a mean age of 54 years (range 22-91 years). The mean serum chromium level in those under the age of 60 years was 1.6 +/- (SE) 0.125 ppb (30.7 +/- 2.4 nmol/l) whereas in those over the age 60 years it was 1.9 +/- 0.195 ppb (36.5 +/- 3.7 nmol/l). There was no evidence of any change in serum chromium levels with increasing age (r = 0.0096; p greater than 0.1) when all the subjects were considered. However, amongst the males a small but definite increase in serum chromium from 1.5 +/- 0.135 ppb (28.8 +/- 2.6 nmol/l to 2.1 +/- 0.25 ppb (40.6 +/- 4.8 nmol/l) was demonstrated.