Abstract: A composition of matter having GTF-like activity, its preparation and its use in treating chromium deficiency and insulin resistance diseases such as diabetes are set forth. The composition comprises: ##STR1## m=1, 2 or 3; n=0, 1 or 2; p=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; q=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; r=0, 1, 2 or 3;m+2n+p+q+r.ltoreq.6;if p and q both=0, n=1 pr z;if n=0, p and/or q.noteq.0;including mixtures and oligomers thereof, wherein:each R.sup.1 is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.2-3 alkenyl and C.sub.2-3 alkynyl, or two R.sup.1 form a ring having, including the N atom to which they are attached, 5 to 7 ring atoms;each R.sup.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl and C.sub.2-4 alkynyl or two adjacent R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form a ring having, including the N and C atoms to which they are attached, 5 to 7 ring atoms;each R.sup.3 is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, COOH, COOR.sup.