Effect of Chelating Agents on Chromium Absorption in Rats

Abstract

The effect of chelating agents on chromium absorption by rats was measured in vitro and in vivo. Four chelating agents: oxalate, phytate, citrate, and EDTA were used to determine their effect on chromium transport through the rat intestine in vitro. Oxalate significantly increased and phytate significantly decreased chromium transport through the rat intestine, while the other two chelating agents showed no significant effect. In an in vivo study oxalate and phytate had the same effects on trivalent chromium absorption in rats as that observed in vitro. The midsection of the rat intestine appears to be the most diffusible segment for chromium, followed by the ileum and duodenum. Under in vitro conditions, ⁸¹Cr is also more highly absorbed in the midsection than in either of the other two segments. Fasted rats absorb chromium at a significantly faster rate than nonfasted ones.