2006 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report documents research conducted under a Non-funded Cooperative Agreement with scientists from Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble, France. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent project 1235-51520-037-00D entitled "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 “PCR analyses demonstrates that tea increases insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling in rats with metabolic syndrome” has been completed and 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 has been submitted for publication. Experiments have been completed regarding the lack of gene toxicity of chromium in cells and manuscript has been submitted. A manuscript on the beneficial effects of tea on rats consuming a diet to induce insulin resistance is near completion. This has been a very successful collaborative project based upon the rapid initial and continued progress of the studies.