A patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition develops impaired glucose tolerance requiring higher insulin doses along with peripheral neuropathy. Supplementation with which trace element corrects these findings?
- A Molybdenum
- B Manganese
- C Chromium ✓
- D Vanadium
Correct answer: C. Chromium
Explanation
Chromium is a component of glucose tolerance factor, which potentiates insulin signaling at the post-receptor level. Chromium deficiency, classically described in patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition without supplementation, presents with insulin-resistant hyperglycemia and peripheral neuropathy, both reversible with chromium replacement. Manganese deficiency causes skeletal changes, molybdenum deficiency causes sulfite-related neurologic symptoms, and vanadium is not an established essential trace element in humans.
Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.