ObjectiveTo study the impact of high chromium yeast on type 2 diabetic mice.MethodsA total of 60 Balb/C mice were used in this study.Fifty mice were injected with streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes,while the ten mice without injection were in the normal group.The type 2 diabetic mice were divided into 5groups according to their fasting blood sugar levels,including 3 groups receiving high chromium yeast at low [250μg/ (kg· d)],medium [500 μg/ (kg,d)],and high [1000 μg/ (kg· d)] doses,1 group receiving metformin ( positive control),and 1 group receiving normal yeast ( negative control).The yeast or metformin were given through by gastric lavage daily for 15 weeks.Body mass and blood biochemical indexes (fasting blood glucose,glucose tolerance,etc) were determined,and the pathological examination of pancreas was conducted.Results Compared with negative control group,medium dose high chromium yeast group had significantly lower triglyceride ( P =0.043 ),low and medium dose groups had lower total cholesterol ( P =0.006,P =0.003 ),low and high dose groups had higher insulin levels (P =0.011,P =0.002),and high dose group had significantly reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (P =0.027).Pathological examination of pancreatic islets revealed that medium and high dose groups did not develop infiltration of inflammatory cells.ConclusionsHigh chromium yeast may improve type 2 diabetes mellitus.Further studies are needed to confirm the conclusion of this study with an organic chromium control group.