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Mutagenicity and disposition of chromium.

Hexavalent chromium was administered to rats at doses of 20-240 mumol kg-1 for several periods of time, from 2 to 14 days. Lung, liver and blood contained the highest amounts of chromium, as detected by atomic absorption or by ICP, 24 h after cessation of treatment. A maximum of 40% of the dose was recoverable in organs along with feces and urine at this same time period, and chromium in soil (5.6% Cr) was absorbed better than equimolar amounts of the hexavalent chromates of calcium or sodium. The contaminated chromium-containing soil was found to have 30-35% of the chromium in the hexavalent state. The mutagenicity of chromium as tested in the bacterial strain of Salmonella typhimurium (strain TA 104) was decreased when tested without metabolic activation with the addition of leachate (of inexact analysis) from a waste site. When studied by alkaline elution, chromium (5-20 microM) caused single strand breaks as well as DNA-protein crosslinks in A549 lung cells, while with L1210 mouse leukemia cells, only DNA-protein crosslinks were found. Chromium(III) compounds caused no damage to DNA.

Animals↗

Activation of calmodulin by the essential trace element chromium.

Chromium at very low concentrations is an essential trace element--at higher concentrations it is associated with contact dermatitis and other toxicity problems. Its ionic radius is just outside that of other metal cations which have been found to activate calmodulin in vitro. We found that chromium was able to activate calmodulin at two different concentration ranges--over the micromolar range (which would probably never be achieved in man) a small degree of activation was found--but a much greater activation (76% of the maximum possible) was also found at nanomolar concentrations of chromium. In welders, who work with stainless steel and who were not reporting any physical symptoms of chromium toxicity, red cell chromium levels were 28.2 +/- 3.3 nM (n = 22) compared to 7.5 +/- 0.7 nM (n = 11) for normal controls. Thus, the concentration of chromium experienced within the cell can be of the order which will activate calmodulin in vitro. The possibility exists, therefore, that inappropriate activation of calmodulin could be relevant to chromium biology possibly contributing to the symptoms of chromium toxicity.

Animals↗

The relationship of chromium to the glucose tolerance factor. II.

After incubation with CrCl3 X 6H2O (or 51CrCl3 X 6H2O) for 25 days, a sterile growth medium, whole yeast cells harvested after growth on a similar chromium-containing medium for the same period, and the spent growth medium remaining after removal of the yeast were each subjected to the separation procedure reported previously [S. J. Haylock. P. D. Buckley and L. F. Blackwell, J. Inorg. Biochem., in press]. The results obtained showed that most of the eleven chromium-containing fractions isolated previously were artifacts formed as a result of direct reaction between the chromium and components of the medium. An anionic complex (which was the major chromium-containing fraction isolated) was identified as a chromium-glucose complex, but one possessing no biological activity. The biologically active chromium-containing fractions (P-3 and P-4) that were only present after yeast had been grown in the medium were further purified, however, during the purification steps, the biological activity was cleanly separated from the chromium material for both P-3 and P-4. Fraction P-4 was subsequently shown to consist of approximately 90% tyramine, but pure tyramine was not active in the yeast bioassay. Although the structure of the glucose tolerance factor-active component in fraction P-3 could not be determined due to the presence of high concentrations of salt that could not be separated on gel filtration columns, the results show that the glucose tolerance factor from brewer's yeast can no longer be regarded as a chromium complex.

Amino Acids↗

Oxidation of inactive trivalent chromium to the mutagenic hexavalent form.

Soluble trivalent chromium compounds (chromium potassium sulfate, chromium nitrate, chromium chloride, neochromium and chromium alum) were inactive for Salmonella typhimurium TA100, even at milligram amounts per plate. No effect could be detected either in the absence or in the presence of rat-liver, lung or muscle microsomal fractions, of rat-muscle mitochondria (with or without ATP), of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), or of human serum, plasma or erythrocyte lysates. Conversely, addition of a strongly oxidizing agent (potassium permanganate) resulted in toxic effects in plates incorporating more than 40--80 microgram of compounds and elicited a dose-effect mutagenic response at 10--40 microgram per plate. These effects could be ascribed to oxidation of chromium from the trivalent to the active hexavalent state. Insoluble chromite, as tested in the spot test, was spontaneously mutagenic, owing to contamination of the industrial product with hexavalent chromium. The results obtained may be useful to interpret the findings of carcinogenicity tests and to predict health hazards linked to chromium.

Chromium↗

The health hazards posed by chromium-contaminated soils in residential and industrial areas: conclusions of an expert panel.

Between 1905 and 1971, over 2 million tons of residue from chromite ore processing was generated in Hudson County, New Jersey, of which substantial amounts were used as fill and tank diking. A panel of medical, toxicology, and risk assessment experts was convened in early 1990 to evaluate the potential health hazards posed by the resulting chromium contaminated soil. The Panel concluded that soils containing concentrations of 75 ppm hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and 1000 ppm total chromium compounds (about 95% was trivalent chromium [Cr(III)]) did not pose a significant health hazard to nearby residents and workers. They also determined that exposure to chromium from Hudson County sites posed a negligible cancer hazard to residents. Using risk assessment methods, the Panel estimated that the plausible incremental cancer risk to individuals at residential sites would be substantially less than 1 in 1,000,000. The average measured levels of airborne Cr(VI) at typical industrial sites were more than 1000-fold lower than the current OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). The maximum plausible increased cancer risk for an average worker at a dusty industrial site was estimated to be less than 1 in 100,000. The Panel also concluded that chromium-containing crystals, which have occasionally been found in Hudson County buildings, do not pose a significant hazard. However, they suggested that were the concentration to exceed 5000 ppm Cr(VI) in the crystals, site-specific health risk assessments would be conducted and remediation considered. The Panel evaluated the dermal hazard posed by chromium-contaminated soil and acknowledged that there is a small group of persons (approximately 0.1% of the United States population) who currently have a dermal sensitization to Cr(VI) primarily through occupational exposure. Based on published studies of human volunteers, the Panel concluded that a small percentage (less than 5%) of persons already sensitized may respond to Cr(VI) in solution at concentrations above 35 ppm. They decided that a much higher concentration in soil, perhaps 350 ppm Cr(VI), would be necessary to elicit dermatitis because only a fraction of the chromium in soil is soluble. The Panel concluded that it was highly unlikely (if not impossible) for a person to become dermally sensitized to Cr(VI) or Cr(III) at the soil concentrations found in most areas in Hudson County.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Air Pollutants↗

Protective effects of chromium on the toxicity of cadmium in vivo.

The acute toxicity of cadmium is known to be less in animals pretreated with zinc. However, the ability of other metals to decrease the toxicity of cadmium has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine if chromium will decrease the acute toxicity of cadmium. Rats received one of the following treatments: (1) saline, saline; (2) saline, cadmium; (3) chromium, cadmium; (4) zinc, cadmium; and (5) chromium, saline. The first of each treatment pair was administered i.p. 36 h and 12 h prior to the second of the pair, which was given i.v. The dose of chromic and zinc chloride was 100 mumol/kg and that for cadmium was 9 mumol/kg except for the lethality study in which 35 mumol/kg was used. Chromium decreased the number of animals that died from cadmium. Furthermore, testicular atrophy due to cadmium was also prevented by pretreatment with chromium. However, chromium did not block the cadmium-induced decrease in hepatic microsomal metabolism as evidenced by a fall in both cytochrome P-450 and aniline metabolism. The observed effects of chromium were not due to an alteration in cadmium distribution. This study demonstrates that chromium can reduce some of the acute toxic effects of cadmium and re-emphasizes the requirement for knowledge not only of individual metals but also for the interactions among such chemicals.

Animals↗

Role of physiological antioxidants in chromium(VI)-induced cellular injury.

Chromium(VI) compounds are well known to be potent toxic and carcinogenic agents. Because chromium(VI) is easily taken up by cells and is subsequently reduced to the trivalent form, the formation of chromium(III) or other intermediate oxidation states such as chromium(V) and (IV) is believed to play a role in the adverse biological effects of chromium(VI) compounds. Recent in vitro studies have shown that this reduction process generates free radical species such as active oxygen radicals. Furthermore, physiological antioxidants are reported to modify the genotoxic and toxic effects of chromate. This article reviewed the recent in vitro and in vivo studies of the effects of antioxidants including active oxygen scavengers; glutathione; vitamins B2, E, and C, on chromate-induced injury such as DNA lesions; lipid peroxidation; enzyme inhibition; cytotoxicity; mutation; and so on. In addition, the mechanism of action of these antioxidants was discussed with respect to the formation of active oxygen radicals and paramagnetic chromium such as chromium(V) and (III). Such studies may help elucidate the mechanism of chromium(VI) toxicity as well as the mechanism of protection.

Animals↗

The effect of chronic chromium exposure on the health of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).

This study was designed to determine fish health impairment of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exposed to chromium. Juvenile Chinook salmon were exposed to aqueous chromium concentrations (0-266 microgl(-1)) that have been documented in porewater from bottom sediments and in well waters near salmon spawning areas in the Columbia River in the northwestern United States. After Chinook salmon parr were exposed to 24 and 54 microg Crl(-1) for 105 days, neither growth nor survival of parr was affected. On day 105, concentrations were increased from 24 to 120 microg Crl(-1) and from 54 to 266 microg Crl(-1) until the end of the experiment on day 134. Weight of parr was decreased in the 24/120 microg Crl(-1) treatment, and survival was decreased in the 54/266 microg Crl(-1) treatment. Fish health was significantly impaired in both the 24/120 and 54/266 microg Crl(-1) treatments. The kidney is the target organ during chromium exposures through the water column. The kidneys of fish exposed to the greatest concentrations of chromium had gross and microscopic lesions (e.g. necrosis of cells lining kidney tububules) and products of lipid peroxidation were elevated. These changes were associated with elevated concentrations of chromium in the kidney, and reduced growth and survival. Also, variations in DNA in the blood were associated with pathological changes in the kidney and spleen. These changes suggest that chromium accumulates and enters the lipid peroxidation pathway where fatty acid damage and DNA damage (expressed as chromosome changes) occur to cause cell death and tissue damage. While most of the physiological malfunctions occurred following parr exposures to concentrations > or =120 microg Crl(-1), nuclear DNA damage followed exposures to 24 microg Crl(-1), which was the smallest concentration tested. The abnormalities measured during this study are particularly important because they are associated with impaired growth and reduced survival at concentrations > or =120 microg Crl(-1). Therefore, these changes can be used to investigate the health of resident fish in natural waters with high chromium concentrations as well as provide insight into the mechanisms of chromium toxicity.

Animals↗

Ultrafast concentration and speciation of chromium(III) and (VI).

There is an increasing need to know the concentrations of chromium(III) and (VI) separately rather than only the total chromium content. A method is described for accomplishing this very quickly using only low-cost, portable equipment. Two small, resin-loaded extraction disks are placed one on top of the other in a plastic holder. Then a syringe containing the aqueous sample is attached to the holder and the sample is pushed through the disks. In a matter of seconds, all of the chromium(VI) is retained on the top anion-exchange disk and chromium(III) is extracted by the second cation-exchange disk. The concentrations on each disk are several hundredfold higher than they were in the original sample. The amounts of chromium(III) and (VI) extracted are measured directly on the surface of the respective disks by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Despite the low molar absorptivity of chromium(III) in aqueous solution, the concentration on the upper most layer on the extraction disk is high enough to permit the determination of chromium(III) in samples at the low mg/L range. Chromium(VI) can also be determined at low to sub-mg/L concentrations. A study of the cation-exchange disks was undertaken to compare the performance characteristics of disks containing sulfonated resins and those with iminodiacetate functionality. In addition, data are presented to show the effects of heating the iminodiacetate disks after the initial extraction. The disks were heated in hot water for 15-30 min to complete the slow complexation reaction on the surface.

Anion Exchange Resins↗

Adsorption of chromium(VI) on pomace--an olive oil industry waste: batch and column studies.

The waste pomace of olive oil factory (WPOOF) was tested for its ability to remove chromium(VI) from aqueous solution by batch and column experiments. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees have been calculated. The thermodynamics of chromium(VI) ion onto WPOOF system indicates spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. The ability of WPOOF to adsorb chromium(VI) in a fixed bed column was investigated, as well. The effect of operating parameters such as flow rate and inlet metal ion concentration on the sorption characteristics of WPOOF was investigated. The longest breakthrough time and maximum of Cr(VI) adsorption is obtained at pH 2.0. The total adsorbed quantities, equilibrium uptakes and total removal percents of chromium(VI) related to the effluent volumes were determined by evaluating the breakthrough curves obtained at different flow rates and different inlet chromium(VI) concentrations for adsorbent. The data confirmed that the total amount of sorbed chromium(VI) and equilibrium chromium(VI) uptake decreased with increasing flow rate and increased with increasing inlet chromium(VI) concentration. The Adams-Bohart model were used to analyze the experimental data and the model parameters were evaluated.

Adsorption↗

Hexavalent chromium removal from wastewater using aniline formaldehyde condensate coated silica gel.

A resinous polymer, aniline formaldehyde condensate (AFC) coated on silica gel was used as an adsorbent in batch system for removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by considering the effects of various parameters like reaction pH, dose of AFC coated silica gel, initial Cr(VI) concentration and aniline to formaldehyde ratio in AFC synthesis. The optimum pH for total chromium [Cr(VI) and Cr(III)] adsorption was observed as 3. Total chromium adsorption was second order and equilibrium was achieved within 90-120 min. Aniline to formaldehyde ratio of 1.6:1 during AFC synthesis was ideal for chromium removal. Total chromium adsorption followed Freundlich's isotherm with adsorption capacity of 65 mg/g at initial Cr(VI) 200mg/L. Total chromium removal was explained as combinations of electrostatic attraction of acid chromate ion by protonated AFC, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and bond formation of Cr(III) with nitrogen atom of AFC. Almost 40-84% of adsorbed chromium was recovered during desorption by NaOH, EDTA and mineral acids. AFC coated silica gel can be effectively used for treatment of chromium containing wastewaters as an alternative.

Adsorption↗

Reproductive toxicity of chromium in adult bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata Geoffrey). Reversible oxidative stress in the semen.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates chromium-induced reproductive toxicity. Monthly semen samples were collected from adult monkeys (Macaca radiata), which were exposed to varying doses (50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm) of chromium (as potassium dichromate) for 6 months through drinking water. Chromium treatment decreased sperm count, sperm forward motility and the specific activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and the concentration of reduced glutathione in both seminal plasma and sperm in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. On the other hand, the quantum of hydrogen peroxide in the seminal plasma/sperm from monkeys exposed to chromium increased with increasing dose and duration of chromium exposure. All these changes were reversed after 6 months of chromium-free exposure period. Simultaneous supplementation of vitamin C (0.5 g/L; 1.0 g/L; 2.0 g/L) prevented the development of chromium-induced oxidative stress. Data support the hypothesis and show that chronic chromium exposure induces a reversible oxidative stress in the seminal plasma and sperm by creating an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant system, leading to sperm death and reduced motility of live sperm.

Animals↗

Age-related decreases in chromium levels in 51,665 hair, sweat, and serum samples from 40,872 patients--implications for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus.

This report shows, for the first time using modern analytical techniques, highly significant age-related decreases in chromium levels in 51,665 hair, sweat, and serum samples obtained from 40,872 patients referred by their physicians to an independent medical research clinic and laboratory (r = -.598 to -.762, P < .0001 for all correlations). Males were found to have significantly lower mean chromium levels than females (P < .05 to .0001). There was good correlation between chromium levels in hair, sweat, and serum (r = .536 to .729, P < .0001 for all correlations), indicating that hair and sweat chromium levels are valid additions to the serum levels in assessing chromium status. Chromium measurements in sweat, hair, and serum were performed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The influences that age-related decreases in chromium levels might have on increasing the risk to develop age-related impaired glucose metabolism, disordered lipid metabolism, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and type II diabetes mellitus are outlined, and the role that refined carbohydrates play in the development of compromised chromium status is presented.

Adolescent↗

Chromium (VI) accumulation reduces chlorophyll biosynthesis, nitrate reductase activity and protein content in Nymphaea alba L.

Plants of Nymphaea alba L. grown at various levels of chromium (VI) ranging from 1 to 200 microM accumulated chromium in concentration and duration-dependent manner. At all Cr levels, chromium accumulation by various plant tissues followed the order roots > leaves > rhizomes. Approximately 93% of total chromium present in the medium was accumulated by plants at lowest conentration (1 microM) used in the experiment. Chromium-induced toxicity appears at 1 microM chromium resulting in the build-up of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and reduced activities of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and nitrate reductase (NR), total chlorophyll (Chl) and protein contents. Ch1a was more sensitive than Ch1b to chromium toxicity. It could be inferred that chromium toxicity is not located at the level of ALA synthesis, but, probably at the ALAD activity which was more severely affected during chlorophyll biosynthesis. Finally, impaired chlorophyll biosynthesis resulted in reduced total chlorophyll content.

Chlorophyll↗

Anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ascorbic acid and hexavalent chromium in rat lung preparations after treatment with sodium chromate in vitro and in vivo.

Simultaneous analysis of ascorbic acid and chromium (VI) in soluble fractions and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of rat lungs treated with sodium chromate in vitro and in vivo was performed by anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode-array detector. Absorbances at 265 and 370 nm were used for the determination of ascorbic acid and chromium (VI), respectively. The calibration graphs of standard solutions were linear in the test ranges of ascorbic acid an chromium (VI) (below 10 and 8 ppm, respectively). The detection limits of ascorbic acid and chromium (VI) were 1 and 0.5 ng, respectively. The recovery of ascorbic acid from lung tissues homogenized at pH 7.4 was 99%, and that of chromium (VI) was 96%, when tissues were homogenized under alkaline conditions (pH 11.4). Using this method, ascorbic acid levels in the soluble fractions and lavage fluids of normal rat lungs were determined. In the lung of a rat intratracheally injected with a saline solution of sodium chromate, ascorbic acid decreased to 80% of the normal level, and ca. 90% of the chromium (VI) was reduced within 4 min after injection, indicating that the ascorbic acid-related reduction of chromium (VI) is very rapid. The present method will be useful for studies of the reduction of chromium (VI) by ascorbic acid in biological systems.

Animals↗

Chromium homeostasis in patients with type II (NIDDM) diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to assess chromium handling in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) compared to healthy volunteers. Chromium handling was evaluated using fasting blood and second morning void urine samples from 93 NIDDM patients and 33 healthy volunteers. Significant differences in chromium homeostasis were seen between patients and controls. NIDDM patients had mean levels of plasma chromium around 33% lower and urine values almost 100% higher than those found in health. Healthy volunteers showed a significant negative correlation between fasting levels of plasma chromium and insulin. This was not evident in NIDDM patients. In the early years of onset of NIDDM, plasma chromium values were inversely correlated with plasma glucose. This was lost in patients with diabetes of more than 2 years duration. We suggest large losses of chromium over many years may exacerbate an already compromised chromium status in NIDDM patients and might contribute to the developing insulin resistance seen in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

Biosorption of trivalent chromium on the brown seaweed biomass.

Biosorption has attracted attention as a cost-effective means for the treatment of metal-bearing wastewater. However, the mechanism of metal binding is not clearly understood, and consequently, modeling of the biosorption performance is still raising debates. In this study, the biosorption of trivalent chromium was investigated with protonated brown alga Ecklonia biomass as a model system. Titration of the biomass revealed that it contains at least three types of functional groups. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometry showed that the carboxyl group was the chromium-binding site within the pH range (pH 1-5) used in this study, where chromium does not precipitate. The pK value and the number of carboxyl groups were estimated to be 4.6 +/- 0.1 and 2.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/g, respectively. The equilibrium sorption isotherms determined at different solution pH indicated that the uptake of chromium increased significantly with increasing pH. A model for the description of chromium biosorption was developed incorporating the hydrolysis reactions that chromium undergoes in the aquatic phase. The model was able to predict the equilibrium sorption experimental data at different pH values and chromium concentrations. In addition, the speciation of the binding site as a function of the solution pH was predicted using the model in order to visualize the distribution of chromium ionic species on the binding site.

Absorption↗

Mitochondrial reduction of the carcinogen chromate: formation of chromium(V).

Incubation of chromate with isolated rat liver mitochondria in vitro resulted in the uptake and reduction of chromium(VI), as well as the formation of chromium(V) species. Chromate was rapidly taken up and reduced by intact mitochondria. The rate of reduction of chromate by intact mitochondria was increased upon addition of succinate or malate plus glutamate, substrates for the electron-transport chain, but was decreased upon addition of cyanide, an inhibitor of the electron-transport chain. Incubation of chromate with mitochondria in the presence or absence of malate, glutamate, and succinate resulted in a steady increase in the level of chromium(V) over time. The extent of chromium(V) formation was increased upon addition of malate, glutamate, and succinate but was inhibited upon addition of the electron-transport chain inhibitors, antimycin, cyanide, or rotenone, to whole mitochondria. High levels of glutamate plus malate inhibited chromium(V) formation; however, high concentrations of succinate or sulfate had no effect. These studies suggest that the chromate-reductase activity in mitochondria is due to the electron-transport chain as well as other mitochondrial reducing systems which are insensitive to inhibitors of the electron-transport chain. Since chromium(VI) is effectively metabolized by mitochondria in vitro and chromium(V) "reactive intermediates" are formed in the process, mitochondria may play a role in chromium(VI) carcinogenesis.

Animals↗