The effect of chromium on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Rabbits fed on a 1% cholesterol diet for 30 days were injected daily with potassium chromate for a further 60 days. A 50% reduction in aortic intimal plaque area and in aortic total cholesterol content was observed. Control rabbits treated with chromium showed a significant increase in the chromium concentration of their aortas, liver and kidneys but not of the myocardium. Cholesterol-fed rabbits treated with chromium showed a significant increase in chromium concentrations in the liver and kidneys only. Serum cholesterol levels were consistently lower in the chromium-treated animals, although the differences did not reach significant levels.