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Effects of chromium picolinate on reactivity of aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Chromium picolinate [Cr(Pic)3] is a nutritional supplement promoted as adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes. Further, hypertension is a coexisting disorder in type 2 diabetic patients. Although Cr(Pic)3 improves [Ca2+]i recovery in insulin‐treated rat vascular smooth muscle cells, its effects on vascular reactivity remain to be established. Thus possible effects of Cr(Pic)3 on vascular reactivity and blood pressure were assessed using SHR, which also display insulin resistance. Male SHR were fed with diets lacking or containing 10 mg/kg Cr(Pic)3 from 6 to12 weeks of age (n=6/group); blood pressure (BP) was measured prior to isometric tension measurements. The treatment caused a slight (p=0.07) increase in BP. Endothelium‐denuded aortic rings from both groups of rats contracted similarly to norepinephrine and KCl. Relaxation of endothelium‐intact aortas from Cr(Pic)3‐treated rats to acetylcholine was enhanced compared to controls. This effect of acetylcholine was inhibited by L‐NAME. Aortas from both control and Cr(Pic)3‐fed SHR relaxed similarly to sodium nitroprusside. In conclusion, Cr(Pic)3 does not alter either the contractile or relaxant properties of the vascular smooth muscle in SHR. However, the treatment improves vascular reactivity in SHR via endothelium‐mediated effects, which may be associated with increased production and/or release of NO. Supported by NIH.