Influence of chromium, cadmium, and lead on rat aortic lipids and circulating cholesterol

Abstract

Male and female rats were given 5 ppm lead, cadmium, and chromium (III) in drinking water from the time of weaning until death, on a diet deficient or low in these metals. Mean serum cholesterol of males on each metal was lower than that of controls at two ages; levels of females on lead and chromium were higher. A 31% increase occurred with age in both sexes on cadmium. There was more sudanophilia (staining with Sudan IV) in aortas of rats on cadmium and lead than in the controls and the chromium fed. Extractable aortic lipids were highest in cadmium-fed animals. Plaques, visible under fluorescent light, were present in 31 of 165 aortas from the lead, cadmium, and control groups and 1 of 48 from the chromium. Lowered circulating cholesterol was associated with increased aortic lipid in rats given cadmium.