Effect of Chromium, Cadmium and Lead on Serum Cholesterol of Rats

Abstract

Four groups of 20 male Long-Evans rats were given diet containing no Cd, 0.2 [mu]g/g Pb and 0.1 [mu]g/g Cr and three allowed H2O with 5 ppm. Cr (III), Cd or Pb (II) as acetate or chloride. Environment was controlled as to metallic contacts. In 10 to 12 mos. serum cholesterol levels ([plus or minus] S.E. mean) were: Control 101.7 [plus or minus] 4.5, Cd-fed 76.1 [plus or minus] 4.7, Pb- fed 71.3 [plus or minus] 4.2 and Cr-fed 90.5 [plus or minus] 5.2 mg/100 ml. Changes in those given Cd and Pb were significant (p< .01). Hepatic cholesterol concentrations in matched pairs treated similarly did not differ significantly from controls. Hepatic metal concentrations were: 20-3.1 [mu]g/g Pb and 1.7 [mu]g/g Cd, approximating human young adult levels. No Cd and low levels of Pb and Cr were found in livers of rats not given the metals. The mechanism is unexplained.