Which trace element was historically designated the 'glucose tolerance factor' because deficiency produces impaired glucose tolerance and peripheral neuropathy that can be mistaken for diabetic neuropathy?

• A Chromium ✓
• B Vanadium
• C Manganese
• D Nickel

Explanation

Trivalent chromium potentiates insulin receptor signalling through the peptide chromodulin, and deficiency states cause glucose intolerance plus a distal symmetrical neuropathy. This is why chromium supplements were marketed for glycaemic control, although trial evidence is weak. Vanadium has been studied experimentally as an insulin-mimetic but never carried the glucose tolerance factor label, and nickel has no established role in human carbohydrate metabolism.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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