CHROMIUM AND CHOLESTEROL-INDUCED ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN RABBITS

Thirty-three rabbits on a cholesterol-enriched diet were randomized into 6 groups and treated with daily injections of either water, 20-mu-g of potassium chromate or 1, 5, 10 or 20-mu-g of chromium chloride, respectively, for 135 days with a 2- to 10-fold increase in serum chromium. There was a marked reduction in the percentage of aortic intimal surface covered by plaque, in aortic weight and cholesterol content in the treated animals. Rabbits treated with 20-mu-g of chromium chloride showed a better response than those treated with either 10 or 20-mu-g of potassium chromate.