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

The synthetic biomimetic triaqua-mu -oxohexapropionatotrichromium(III) nitrate when given intravenously has been shown previously to lower fasting blood plasma triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations in rats; thus, the cation has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent. Its ability to function in vivo presumably is dependent on its ability to mimic the action of the natural, bioactive, chromium-binding oligopeptide chromodulin in stimulating insulin receptor kinase activity. For this to happen, the cation presumably should be incorporated into insulin-sensitive cells intact. Examination of the distribution of Cr-51 and C-14 from Cr-51- and [1-C-14]-propionate labeled trinuclear cation in rats after injection with the trinuclear complex for 2 weeks suggests that the cation enters cells intact; however, the 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.