Chromium in tissues

Accurate and precise measures of chromium in tissues and body fluids are essential to understanding the role of chromium in human nutrition. Presently a number of laboratories can measure chromium in biological samples. Their Hndings of concentrations of <200 ng/liter in serum and urine confirms the necessity of sensitive and accurate quantitation. This requires a dedicated cleanroom-type facility with filtered air and water as well as ultrapure reagents and reference materials to verify accuracy. Personnel with a useful paranoia have to be trained to avoid contamination in sample acquisition, preparation, and analysis [41]. 

There are three techniques used for the determination of chromium in tissues and body fluids (1) neutron activation analysis (NAA), (2) isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), and (3) electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETAAS). 

Many studies report beneficial effects of trivalent chromium. The element is described by WHO [24.5] as essential owing to its ability to strengthen the activity of in-suHn and its influence on carbohydrate and Upid metaboHsm. Biological systems commonly contain chromium as Cr in small concentrations [24.6]. It is thought, but disputed, that chromium is essential for life and involved in human glucose metaboHsm [24.7]. Chromium intake has been shown to be positive for humans and decreases the symptoms of diabetes in people with glucose intolerance [24.8]. An adequate intake of chromium for an adult is 50-200 pg/day and the content of chromium in tissues is 100-1000 pg/kg dry weight. 

There is little reliable information on amounts of chromium in tissues following single oral or inhalation exposures, and some of these data, especially those from earlier studies, are contradictory. Retention of chromium by liver, kidney, and spleen is prolonged (Mackenzie et al. 1959 Bract and VAN Dura 1983 Edel and Sabbioni 1985). The relatively slow loss from these and other tissues (testis, epididymis) (Hopkins 1965) requires the assumption that transfer of chromium into and out of tissues is diffusion-limited rather than flow-limited. 

Rossi, Marenzi, and Lobo (74) suggested an indirect estimation of choline through the determination of chromium in reineckate precipitates. The procedure which they devised was suitable for measuring from 5 to 50 ng. of chromium in tissue ash and moderate amounts of iron, copper, or mercury did not interfere. 

Reliable and more recent monitoring data of chromium in air, water, and food, with emphasis on chromium levels in tissues and body fluids of animals living near hazardous waste sites... 

Buhler, D.R., R.M. Stokes, and R.S. Caldwell. 1977. Tissue accumulation and enzymatic effects of hexavalent chromium in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Jour. Fish. Res. Board Canada 34 9-18. 

Van der Putte, I., J. Lubbers, and Z. Kolar. 1981a. Effect of pH on uptake, tissue distribution and retention of hexavalent chromium in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Aquat. Toxicol. 1 3-18. 

Van Hoof, F. and M. Van San. 1981. Analysis of copper, zinc, cadmium and chromium in fish tissues. A tool for detecting metal caused fish kills. Chemosphere 10 1127-1135. 

Raithel HJ, Schaller KH, Reith A, et al. 1988. Investigations on the quantitative determination of nickel and chromium in human lung tissue industrial medical toxicological and occupational medical expertise aspects. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 60 55-66. 

Booth, G. H., Darby, W. J. Determination by gas-liquid chromatography of physiological levels of chromium in biological tissues. Anal. Chem. 43, 831 (1971). 

Chromium Content in Tissues and Body Fluids of the General Population... 

One animal study showed that more chromium(III) will enter the body of a newborn than an adult. We do not know if this is also true for chromium(VI). We have no information to suggest that there are any differences between children and adults in terms of where chromium can be found in the body, and how fast chromium will leave the body. Studies with mice have shown that chromium crosses the placenta and concentrates in fetal tissue. Therefore, pregnant women who were exposed to chromium in the workplace or by living near chromium waste sites may transfer chromium from their blood into the baby where it may build up at levels greater than in the mother. There is some evidence in humans that chromium can be transferred from mother to infant through breast milk. 

Amounts of total chromium were measured in lymphocytes, blood, and urine after intratracheal administration of either sodium dichromate(VI) or chromium(III) acetate hydroxide (a water-soluble chromium(III) compound) to male Wistar rats (Gao et al. 1993). The total amount of chromium administered was 0.44 mg Cr/kg body weight for each compound. The highest concentrations in tissues and urine occurred at 6 hours after treatment, the first time point examined. Mean chromium concentrations (n= 4 rats per time point) from treatment with chromium(III) were 56.3 pg/L in whole blood, 96 pg/L in plasma, 0.44 pg/1010 in lymphocytes, and 4,535.6 pg/g creatinine in urine. For treatment with chromium(VI) the levels were 233.2 pg/L for whole blood, 138 pg/L for plasma,... 

The distribution of chromium in human body tissue after acute oral exposure was determined in the case of a 14-year-old boy who ingested 7.5 mg chromium(VI)/kg as potassium dichromate. Despite extensive treatment by dialysis and the use of the chelating agent British antilewisite, the boy died eight days after admission to the hospital. Upon autopsy, the chromium concentrations were as follows liver,... 

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