Lipid accumulation in chromium poisoned rats.

Interference of chromium with the hepato-renal lipids in rat (Rattus rattus albino) was investigated using histochemical and biochemical parameters. Present results show that chromium stimulates the accumulation of triglycerides and phospholipids in both liver and kidney. Biochemical data on total lipids show that chromium enhanced the rate of lipid accumulations. Since lipids accumulate if the factors necessary for their utilization are missing, it is concluded that chromium manipulates an increase in the input of free fatty acids (FFA) causing triglyceride formation and inhibits mitochondrial phosphorylation. Inhibition of esterases has also been proposed as the reason for increased phospholipid accumulation.