Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is considered to be a risk factor in the formation of human cancer. Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), Rho-GDIα, galectin, c-Myc and p53 play important roles in cancer formation. The purpose of this study was to determine if Cr(VI) induces the formation of gastrointestinal cancer. We explored the expression of RKIP, Rho-GDIα, galectin, c-Myc and p53 in the colon and stomach in rats exposed to chromium (CrVI). Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups which were chronically fed with 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm Na(2) Cr(2) O(7) and water for 60 days. The level of Cr(VI) was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The expression of RKIP, Rho-GDIα, galectin, c-Myc and p53 of stomach and colon was measured by western blot. The gene expression of RKIP, Rho-GDIα, galectin, c-Myc and p53 of the stomach and colon was determined by RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of p53 and Rho-GDIα was decreased in the stomach and colon of rats with Cr(VI) treatment. The expression of RKIP was decreased in the stomach and colon of rats treated with high-dose Cr(VI). The expression of c-Myc and gelectin-1 was increased in the stomach and colon of rats with Cr(VI) treatment. We concluded that the anomalous expression of RKIP, Rho-GDIα, galectin, c-Myc and p53 might be a dangerous index of cancer formation in the stomach and colon of rats with Cr(VI) exposure.