Effects of potassium chromate on atherosclerosis prevention and regression in rabbits.

The effect of intraperitoneal injections of potassium chromate on prevention and regression of atherosclerosis was observed in New Zealand White rabbits. In rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 90 days, potassium chromate injection was not associated with a significant difference in weight, serum cholesterol, total cholesterol content per 8.5 cm aorta, cholesterol content per gram of aorta or percent intima covered with plaque compared to controls. Similarly, significant differences were not seen in rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 90 days followed by 60 days of potassium chromate or distilled water injections and a standard diet. These results are in keeping with recent studies suggesting a more limited role for chromium in a variety of lipid-related disorders.