Although mutual interplay between chromium and glucocorticoids exists, there is few data showing the effects of chromium on glucocorticoid secretion and actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chromium on glucocorticoid secretion and actions in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were intraperitoneally administrated with ACTH (0.1 mg/kg BW/day) or saline and concomitantly supplemented with chromium (80 μg/kg BW/day) or placebo for 4 weeks. Chromium supplementation decreased the levels of corticosterone, AST, ALT, and ALP in ACTH-stimulated rats. Results of histological examination showed that chromium supplementation improved hypertrophic change in the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis of adrenal glands and hepatic accumulation of lipid droplets in ACTH-stimulated rats. Chromium administration had an inhibitory effect on the corticosterone secretion by adrenal gland in ACTH-stimulated rats and attenuated the hepatic damage caused by hyperadrenocorticism.

Key words: Chromium, Corticosterone, Hyperadrenocorticism, Rat