Moshe Sonnenblick

The action of chromium on serum lipids and on atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Eight rabbits, fed on a 1% cholesterol diet for 30 days, were injected daily with potassium chromate for a further 60 days. A 50% reduction in aortic intimal plaque area and in aortic total cholesterol content was observed. However, although levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were consistently lower and levels of high density lipoprotein fractions consistently higher in the chromium-treated as compared to the control rabbits, these differences did not reach statistical significance. A further 6 rabbits were injected with potassium chromate and fed on a 1% cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Mean aortic cholesterol content (+/-SEM) was 40.23 mg/10 cm aortic length (+/-7.50) as compared to 66.24 mg/10 cm (+/- 7.89) in a control group (P less than 0.05), whereas the area of aortic intima covered by macroscopic plaques was 67.5% (+/-2.79) and 81.1% (+/-3.14) (P less than 0.01) respectively.

Correlation between manifestations of digoxin toxicity and serum digoxin, calcium, potassium, and magnesium concentrations and arterial pH.

In 18 patients with gastrointestinal manifestations of digoxin toxicity the mean serum digoxin concentration (+/- SEM) was 3.16 micrograms/l (+/- 0.25), the calcium to potassium ratio 0.31 (+/- 0.01), and the mean arterial pH 7.406 (+/- 0.017). In contrast 19 patients with digoxin induced automaticity had a mean serum digoxin concentration of 1.24 micrograms/l (+/- 0.15; p less than 0.001), a calcium to potassium ratio of 0.38 (+/- 0.01; p less than 0.01), and an arterial pH of 7.498 (+/- 0.008; p less than 0.001). Eight out of 13 patients with digoxin induced cardiotoxicity had serum concentrations of the drug within the therapeutic range (0.8-2.0 micrograms/l). The calcium to potassium ratio, however, was lower than in the patients with automaticity (0.31 +/- 0.02; p less than 0.01) and the arterial pH was 7.370 (+/- 0.033; p less than 0.05). Serum magnesium concentrations were similar in all groups. In this study patients with digoxin induced gastrointestinal symptoms had high serum concentrations of the drug, whereas those with drug induced automaticity had therapeutic concentrations. This second group, however, was identified by their higher calcium to potassium ratios and higher pH values.

The effect of chromium on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits

Rabbits fed on a 1% cholesterol diet for 30 days were injected daily with potassium chromate for a further 60 days. A 50% reduction in aortic intimal plaque area and in aortic total cholesterol content was observed. Control rabbits treated with chromium showed a significant increase in the chromium concentration of their aortas, liver and kidneys but not of the myocardium. Cholesterol-fed rabbits treated with chromium showed a significant increase in chromium concentrations in the liver and kidneys only. Serum cholesterol levels were consistently lower in the chromium-treated animals, although the differences did not reach significant levels.

Serum chromium in patients with recent and old myocardial infarction

The serum chromium in 45 subjects with no clinical evidence of ischemic heart disease was found to be 1.71 parts per billion (ppb) (S.E. +/- 0.14). In 34 patients with a previously documented myocardial infarction, it was 1.84 ppb (S.E. +/- 0.18). The difference was not significant nor was there any difference with age or sex. In 37 patients with acute myocardial infarction the serum chromium level rose to a mean of 6.36 ppb (S.E. +/- 0.51; p less than 0.001) during the first five days following the infarct, returning to normal over the next five days. There was no correlation between the serum chromium and blood glucose levels in these patients or in a further 14 patients who were receiving glucose infusions (chest pain without electrocardiographic or enzyme changes) or who were diabetics.

Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura and cryoglobulinemia. Immunofluorescence studies of the skin.

Primary hypergammaglobulinemic purpura in an 84 year old woman is described. In addition to her advanced age, she also showed cryoglobulinemia. The patient was further studied by immunofluorescent staining of the skin biopsy specimen, which showed deposition of IgG, IgM, fibrinogen and β1C in the vessel walls.