Fatima Qureshi - Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Haji Khan Khoharo - Consultant Physician Professor Faculty of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences Isra University, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine and correlate the serum chromium in Carotid intima - media thickness (CIMT) in type ۲ Diabetes Mellitus (T۲DM) subjects. Materials and Methods: The present case – control study included ۴۰ healthy controls and ۴۵ T۲DM subjects that were selected through non-probability (purposive) sampling by prior inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum chromium (Cr) was detected and measured on inductively coupled “Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer” (ICP- OES)- Carotid artery was examined with a ۷.۵-MHz linear-array transducer (Siemens Acuson x۳۰۰) sonography. Data was analyzed by Student’s t test and Chi square test in the SPSS ۲۲.۰ (USA). Linear regression model was used for predicting carotid intima media thickness. Level of confidence interval of statistical significance was ۹۵% (P≤ ۰.۰۵). Results: Serum Cr in controls and cases was noted ۰.۸۷۳ (± ۰.۱۶۲) and ۰.۲۸۱ (± ۰.۲۴۰) µg/ml (P= ۰.۰۰۱). Serum Cr proved negative correlation with random blood sugar (r= -۰.۱۴۵, P= ۰.۱۸۵), HbA۱c (r= -۰.۱۴۵, P= ۰.۰۰۰۱) and CIMT (r= -۰.۷۳۰, P= ۰.۰۰۰۱).  Multiple regression analysis model showed significant association of serum Cr (r= -۰.۷۳۰, P< ۰.۰۰۰۱) and HbA۱c (r= ۰.۷۵۴, P< ۰.۰۰۰۱) with the CIMT. Conclusion: The present study reported serum Cr was inversely correlated with the carotid intima - media thickness that is a marker of atherosclerosis. Cr supplements may be advised to diabetics in clinical management.

Serum chromium, Carotid intima - media thickness, Atherosclerosis, Diabetes mellitus