2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-funded Agreement with scientists from Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble, France. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the project 1235-51520-037-00D, "Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon in the prevention and alleviation of glucose intolerance." This project focuses on using cell culture, animals and humans to demonstrate the beneficial effects of chromium, cinnamon, and tea extracts as they relate to oxidative stress and insulin action. In addition, the nutritional chromium status of European elderly will be evaluated as well as the gene toxicity of different forms of chromium in cell culture systems. Project entitled "Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses demonstrates that tea increases insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling in rats with metabolic syndrome" has been completed and will be presented at an International Polyphenol Congress in September 2005. Diets and foods consumed by elderly French subjects have been collected as well as corresponding urine and blood samples and analyzed for trace elements. Manuscript is in preparation. Experiments have also been initiated regarding the gene toxicity of chromium in cells. This should be a very successful collaborative project based upon the rapid initial progress of the studies.