The stability of the biomimetic cation triaqua-mu-oxohexapropionatotrichromium(III) in vivo in rats

The synthetic biomimetic triaqua-mu -oxohexapropionatotrichromium(III) nitr ate when given intravenously has been shown previously to lower fasting blo od plasma triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations in rats; thus, the c ation has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent. Its ability to fun ction in vivo presumably is dependent on its ability to mimic the action of the natural, bioactive, chromium-binding oligopeptide chromodulin in stimu lating insulin receptor kinase activity. For this to happen, the cation pre sumably should be incorporated into insulin-sensitive cells intact. Examina tion of the distribution of Cr-51 and C-14 from Cr-51- and [1-C-14]-propion ate labeled trinuclear cation in rats after injection with the trinuclear c omplex for 2 weeks suggests that the cation enters cells intact; however, t he cation appears to degrade within 24 h after injection. Chromium from the complex is excreted in the urine as chromodulin. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.