Vanadium complexes of transferrin and ferritin in the rat

Vanadium Compounds with Antidiabetic Potential

Over the last four decades, vanadium compounds have been extensively studied as potential antidiabetic drugs. With the present review, we aim at presenting a general overview of the most promising compounds and the main results obtained with in vivo studies, reported from 1899-2023. The chemistry of vanadium is explored, discussing the importance of the structure and biochemistry of vanadate and the impact of its similarity with phosphate on the antidiabetic effect. The spectroscopic characterization of vanadium compounds is discussed, particularly magnetic resonance methodologies, emphasizing its relevance for understanding species activity, speciation, and interaction with biological membranes. Finally, the most relevant studies regarding the use of vanadium compounds to treat diabetes are summarized, considering both animal models and human clinical trials. An overview of the main hypotheses explaining the biological activity of these compounds is presented, particularly the most accepted pathway involving vanadium interaction with phosphatase and kinase enzymes involved in the insulin signaling cascade. From our point of view, the major discoveries regarding the pharmacological action of this family of compounds are not yet fully understood. Thus, we still believe that vanadium presents the potential to help in metabolic control and the clinical management of diabetes, either as an insulin-like drug or as an insulin adjuvant. We look forward to the next forty years of research in this field, aiming to discover a vanadium compound with the desired therapeutic properties.

Vanadium: Risks and possible benefits in the light of a comprehensive overview of its pharmacotoxicological mechanisms and multi-applications with a summary of further research trends

BACKGROUND

Vanadium (V) is an element with a wide range of effects on the mammalian organism. The ability of this metal to form organometallic compounds has contributed to the increase in the number of studies on the multidirectional biological activity of its various organic complexes in view of their application in medicine.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims at summarizing the current state of knowledge of the pharmacological potential of V and the mechanisms underlying its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity as well as the mechanisms of appetite regulation related to the possibility of using this element in the treatment of obesity. The toxicological potential of V and the mechanisms of its toxic action, which have not been sufficiently recognized yet, as well as key information about the essentiality of this metal, its physiological role, and metabolism with certain aspects on the timeline is collected as well. The report also aims to review the use of V in the implantology and industrial sectors emphasizing the human health hazard as well as collect data on the directions of further research on V and its interactions with Mg along with their character.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Multidirectional studies on V have shown that further analyses are still required for this element to be used as a metallodrug in the fight against certain life-threatening diseases. Studies on interactions of V with Mg, which showed that both elements are able to modulate the response in an interactive manner are needed as well, as the results of such investigations may help not only in recognizing new markers of V toxicity and clarify the underlying interactive mechanism between them, thus improving the medical application of the metals against modern-age diseases, but also they may help in development of principles of effective protection of humans against environmental/occupational V exposure.

Vanadium in Biological Action: Chemical, Pharmacological Aspects, and Metabolic Implications in Diabetes Mellitus

Vanadium compounds have been primarily investigated as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of various major health issues, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. The translation of vanadium-based compounds into clinical trials and ultimately into disease treatments remains hampered by the absence of a basic pharmacological and metabolic comprehension of such compounds. In this review, we examine the development of vanadium-containing compounds in biological systems regarding the role of the physiological environment, dosage, intracellular interactions, metabolic transformations, modulation of signaling pathways, toxicology, and transport and tissue distribution as well as therapeutic implications. From our point of view, the toxicological and pharmacological aspects in animal models and humans are not understood completely, and thus, we introduced them in a physiological environment and dosage context. Different transport proteins in blood plasma and mechanistic transport determinants are discussed. Furthermore, an overview of different vanadium species and the role of physiological factors (i.e., pH, redox conditions, concentration, and so on) are considered. Mechanistic specifications about different signaling pathways are discussed, particularly the phosphatases and kinases that are modulated dynamically by vanadium compounds because until now, the focus only has been on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B as a vanadium target. Particular emphasis is laid on the therapeutic ability of vanadium-based compounds and their role for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, specifically on that of vanadate- and polioxovanadate-containing compounds. We aim at shedding light on the prevailing gaps between primary scientific data and information from animal models and human studies.

Why Antidiabetic Vanadium Complexes are Not in the Pipeline of "Big Pharma" Drug Research? A Critical Review

Public academic research sites, private institutions as well as small companies have made substantial contributions to the ongoing development of antidiabetic vanadium compounds. But why is this endeavor not echoed by the globally operating pharmaceutical companies, also known as "Big Pharma"? Intriguingly, today's clinical practice is in great need to improve or replace insulin treatment against Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Insulin is the mainstay therapeutically and economically. So, why do those companies develop potential antidiabetic drug candidates without vanadium (vanadium- free)? We gathered information about physicochemical and pharmacological properties of known vanadium-containing antidiabetic compounds from the specialized literature, and converted the data into explanations (arguments, the "pros and cons") about the underpinnings of antidiabetic vanadium. Some discoveries were embedded in chronological order while seminal reviews of the last decade about the Medicinal chemistry of vanadium and its history were also listed for further understanding. In particular, the concepts of so-called "noncomplexed or free" vanadium species (i.e. inorganic oxido-coordinated species) and "biogenic speciation" of antidiabetic vanadium complexes were found critical and subsequently documented in more details to answer the question.

Alternative therapies for diabetes and its cardiac complications: role of vanadium

It is now well known that a cardiomyopathic state accompanies diabetes mellitus. Although insulin injections and conventional hypoglycemic drug therapy have been of invaluable help in reducing cardiac damage and dysfunction in diabetes, cardiac failure continues to be a common cause of death in the diabetic population. The use of alternative medicine to maintain health and treat a variety of diseases has achieved increasing popularity in recent years. The goal of alternative therapies in diabetic patients has been to lower circulating blood glucose levels and thereby treat diabetic complications. This paper will focus its discussion on the role of vanadium on diabetes and the associated cardiac dysfunction. Careful administration of a variety of forms of vanadium has produced impressive long-lasting control of blood glucose levels in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in animals. This has been accompanied by, in many cases, a complete correction of the diabetic cardiomyopathy. The oral delivery of vanadium as a vanadate salt in the presence of tea has produced particularly impressive hypoglycemic effects and a restoration of cardiac function. This intriguing approach to the treatment of diabetes and its complications, however, deserves further intense investigation prior to its use as a conventional therapy for diabetic complications due to the unknown long-term effects of vanadium accumulation in the heart and other organs of the body.

Alternative therapies for diabetes and its cardiac complications: role of vanadium

It is now well known that a cardiomyopathic state accompanies diabetes mellitus. Although insulin injections and conventional hypoglycemic drug therapy have been of invaluable help in reducing cardiac damage and dysfunction in diabetes, cardiac failure continues to be a common cause of death in the diabetic population. The use of alternative medicine to maintain health and treat a variety of diseases has achieved increasing popularity in recent years. The goal of alternative therapies in diabetic patients has been to lower circulating blood glucose levels and thereby treat diabetic complications. This paper will focus its discussion on the role of vanadium on diabetes and the associated cardiac dysfunction. Careful administration of a variety of forms of vanadium has produced impressive long-lasting control of blood glucose levels in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in animals. This has been accompanied by, in many cases, a complete correction of the diabetic cardiomyopathy. The oral delivery of vanadium as a vanadate salt in the presence of tea has produced particularly impressive hypoglycemic effects and a restoration of cardiac function. This intriguing approach to the treatment of diabetes and its complications, however, deserves further intense investigation prior to its use as a conventional therapy for diabetic complications due to the unknown long-term effects of vanadium accumulation in the heart and other organs of the body.

Uptake and speciation of vanadium in the benthic invertebrate Hyalella azteca

Vanadium has the potential to leach into the environment from petroleum coke, an oil sands byproduct. To determine uptake of vanadium species in the biota, we exposed the benthic invertebrate Hyalella azteca with increasing concentrations of two different vanadium species, V(IV) and V(V), for seven days. The concentrations of vanadium in the H. azteca tissue increased with the concentration of vanadium in the exposure water. Speciation analysis revealed that V(IV) in the exposure water was oxidized to V(V) between renewal periods, and therefore the animals were mostly exposed to V(V). Speciation analysis of the H. azteca tissue showed the presence of V(V), V(IV), and an unidentified vanadium species. These results indicate the uptake and metabolism of vanadium by H. azteca. Because H. azteca are widely distributed in freshwater systems and are an important food supply for many fish, determining the uptake and metabolism of vanadium allows for a better understanding of the potential environmental effects on invertebrates.

Synthesis, characterization, and preliminary in vitro studies of vanadium(IV) complexes with a Schiff base and thiosemicarbazones as mixed-ligands

[VO(Sal-L-tryp)(H₂O)] 1 (where sal-L-tryp = N-salicylidene-L-tryptophanate) was used as a precursor to produce the novel complexes, [VO(Sal-L-tryp)(MeATSC)].1.5C₂H₅OH 2 (where MeATSC = 9-Anthraldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone), [VO(Sal-L-tryp)(N-Ethhymethohcarbthio)].H₂O 3 (where N-Ethhymethohcarbthio = (E)-N-ethyl-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide), and [VO(Sal-L-tryp)(acetylethTSC)].C₂H₅OH 4 (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-(1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide), by reaction with the respective thiosemicarbazone. The chemical and structural properties of these ligands and complexes were characterised by elemental analysis, ESI MS, FT-IR, UV-visible, ESR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. DMSO and DMSO-d₆ solutions of compounds 1-4 were oxidised in air to produce vanadium(V) species which were verified by ESI MS and ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Anti-cancer properties of compounds 2-4 were examined with three colon cancer cell lines, HTC-116, Caco-2, and HT-29, and also with non-cancerous colonic myofibroblasts, CCD18-Co. Compounds 2-3 exhibited less inhibitory effects in the CCD-18Co cells, indicating a possible cytotoxic selectivity towards colon cancer cells. In general, those compounds which exhibited anti-proliferative activity on cancer cells, but did not affect non-cancerous cells, may have a potential in chemotherapy.

Vanadate complexes in serum: a speciation modeling study

The speciations of two drug candidate ligands, 2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide (Hhpno) and 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (Hmpno), with vanadate (V(V)) were determined at 25.0 degrees C and 0.20 mol dm(-3) KCl by pH-metric and (51)V-NMR methods. At pH 7.4, the two predominant compounds with both ligands are the VO(2)L(2) and VO(2)L(OH). NH(4)[VO(2)(hpno)(2)] x 3 H(2)O was prepared in solid form, and its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. The stabilities of the complexes VO(2)L(2) of five drug candidate ligands were compared at pH 7.4. In view of the stability sequence hpno > maltol approximately hdp (Hhdp: 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridinone) >> mpno > picolinic acid, the first two of these ligands were chosen for equilibrium studies with apotransferrin (apoTf) competition. The V(V)-apoTf stability constants (log K(1) = 6.03 +/- 0.10; log K(2) = 5.46 +/- 0.18) determined by (51)V-NMR spectroscopy were confirmed by ultrafiltration. Both methods proved that there seems to be no hydrogencarbonate-vanadate competition for the apoTf anion-binding positions. The other potential high molecular mass V(V) binder in the serum is human serum albumin (HSA). As no interaction was detected by (51)V-NMR spectroscopy or fluorimetry, the binding properties of HSA were quantified on the basis of literature data. As a final conclusion, speciation modeling calculations suggest that, under serum conditions, apoTf is probably the primary metal ion binder, even in the presence of the most stable V(V) carrier ligands hpno and maltol and HSA plays a negligible role in V(V) binding.

New vanadium-based magnetic resonance imaging probes: clinical potential for early detection of cancer

We have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for improved detection of cancer with a new class of cancer-specific contrast agents, containing vanadyl (VO(2+))-chelated organic ligands, specifically bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(acac)(2)]. Vanadyl compounds have been found to accumulate within cells, where they interact with intracellular glycolytic enzymes. Aggressive cancers are metabolically active and highly glycolytic; an MRI contrast agent that enters cells with high glycolytic activity could provide high-resolution functional images of tumor boundaries and internal structure, which cannot be achieved by conventional contrast agents. The present work demonstrates properties of VO(acac)(2) that may give it excellent specificity for cancer detection. A high dose of VO(acac)(2) did not cause any acute or short-term adverse reactions in murine subjects. Calorimetry and spectrofluorometric methods demonstrate that VO(acac)(2) is a blood pool agent that binds to serum albumin with a dissociation constant K (d) ~ 2.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(-7) M and a binding stoichiometry n = 1.03 +/- 0.04. Owing to its prolonged blood half-life and selective leakage from hyperpermeable tumor vasculature, a low dose of VO(acac)(2) (0.15 mmol/kg) selectively enhanced in vivo magnetic resonance images of tumors, providing high-resolution images of their interior structure. The kinetics of uptake and washout are consistent with the hypothesis that VO(acac)(2) preferentially accumulates in cancer cells. Although VO(acac)(2) has a lower relaxivity than gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, its specificity for highly glycolytic cells may lead to an innovative approach to cancer detection since it has the potential to produce MRI contrast agents that are nontoxic and highly sensitive to cancer metabolism.

Effects of vanadium(V) and/or chromium(III) on L-ascorbic acid and glutathione as well as iron, zinc, and copper levels in rat liver and kidney

This study investigated the selected parameters of the antioxidant system in liver and kidney after in vivo administration of vanadium and/or chromium in rats. Outbred 2-mo-old albino male Wistar rats received drinking water for 12 wk with either sodium metavanadate (SMV; group II); chromium chloride (Cr; group III); or sodium metavanadate and chromium chloride (SMV-Cr; group IV); and group I (control) received deionized water. Chronic treatment with V alone or in combination with Cr produced a significant increase in kidney relative weight. Further, giving rats V alone also led to a significant elevation in liver relative weight. An increase in hepatic Fe concentration and renal Zn content occurred after treatment with V or Cr, respectively. The rats coadministered V and Cr had significantly higher levels of Fe in liver and Zn in kidneys. Simultaneous administration of these two elements resulted in a significant decrease in renal L-ascorbic acid concentration. V given alone significantly decreased GSH content and GSH/GSSG ratio in liver and kidney as well as increased GSSG concentration in liver, whereas Cr alone produced a significant decrease in GSH content in kidney and GSH/GSSG ratio in both organs. In the SMV-Cr-treated group a significant decrease in renal GSH concentration and GSH/GSSG ratio in both organs occurred. A significant increase in liver GSSG content was also found. The observed significant changes in kidney GSH content and in GSH/GSSG ratio in both rat tissues after Cr might result from the pro-oxidant actions of this metal. Thus, oxidative stress, which is a major pathway for V-induced toxicity, might also be associated with Cr(III)-induced adverse effects in rats.

Vanadium and bone development: putative signaling pathwaysThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special issue, entitled Second Messengers and Phosphoproteins—12th International Conference

Vanadium is a trace element present in practically all cells in plants and animals. It exerts interesting actions in living systems. At pharmacological doses, vanadium compounds display relevant biological actions such as mimicking insulin and growth factors as well as having osteogenic activity. Some vanadium compounds also show antitumoral properties. The importance of vanadium in bone arises from the studies developed to establish the essentiality of this element in animals and humans. Bone tissue, where the element seems to play an important role, accumulates great amounts of vanadium. This paper reviews the physiology of osteoblasts, the involvement of different growth factors on bone development, and the effects of vanadium derivatives on the skeletal system of animal models and bone-related cells. Two cellular lines are discussed in particular; one derived from a rat osteosarcoma (UMR106) and the other is a nontransformed osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1). The effects of different growth factors and their mechanisms of action in these cellular lines are reviewed. These models of osteoblasts are especially useful in understanding the intracellular signaling pathways of vanadium derivatives in hard tissues. Vanadium uses an intricate interplay of intracellular mechanisms to exert different biochemical and pharmacological actions. The effects of vanadium derivatives on some cellular signaling pathways related to insulin are compiled in this review. The comprehension of these intracellular signaling pathways may facilitate the design of vanadium compounds with promising therapeutic applications as well as the understanding of secondary side effects derived from the use of vanadium as a therapeutic agent.

Pollutant particles produce vasoconstriction and enhance MAPK signaling via angiotensin type I receptor

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with acute cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, but the mechanisms are not entirely clear. In this study, we hypothesized that PM may activate the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R), a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates inflammation and vascular function. We investigated the acute effects of St. Louis, Missouri, urban particles (UPs; Standard Reference Material 1648) on the constriction of isolated rat pulmonary artery rings and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells with or without losartan, an antagonist of AT1R. UPs at 1-100 microg/mL induced acute vasoconstriction in pulmonary artery. UPs also produced a time- and dose-dependent increase in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Losartan pretreatment inhibited both the vasoconstriction and the activation of ERK1/2 and p38. The water-soluble fraction of UPs was sufficient for inducing ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation, which was also losartan inhibitable. Copper and vanadium, two soluble transition metals contained in UPs, induced pulmonary vasoconstriction and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, but only the phosphorylation of p38 was inhibited by losartan. The UP-induced activation of ERK1/2 and p38 was attenuated by captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. These results indicate that activation of the local renin-angiotensin system may play an important role in cardiovascular effects induced by PM.

Synthesis of vanadium(IV,V) hydroxamic acid complexes and in vivo assessment of their insulin-like activity

We synthesized vanadyl (oxidation state +IV) and vanadate (oxidation state +V) complexes with the same hydroxamic acid derivative ligand, and assessed their glucose-lowering activities in relation to the vanadium biodistribution behavior in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. When the mice received an intraperitoneal injection of the complexes, the vanadate complex more effectively lowered the elevated glucose levels compared with the vanadyl one. The glucose-lowering effect of the vanadate complex was linearly related to its dose within the range from 2.5 to 7.5 mg V/kg. In addition, pretreatment of the vanadate complex induced a larger insulin-enhancing effect than the vanadyl complex. Both complexes were more effective than the corresponding inorganic vanadium compounds. The vanadyl and vanadate complexes, but not the inorganic vanadium compounds, resulted in almost the same organ vanadium distribution. Consequently, the observed differences in the insulin-like activity between the complexes would reflect the potency of the two compounds in the +IV and +V oxidation states in the subcellular region.

Insulino-mimetic and anti-diabetic effects of vanadium compounds

Compounds of the trace element vanadium exert various insulin-like effects in in vitro and in vivo systems. These include their ability to improve glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in animal models of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to animal studies, several reports have documented improvements in liver and muscle insulin sensitivity in a limited number of patients with Type 2 diabetes. These effects are, however, not as dramatic as those observed in animal experiments, probably because lower doses of vanadium were used and the duration of therapy was short in human studies as compared with animal work. The ability of these compounds to stimulate glucose uptake, glycogen and lipid synthesis in muscle, adipose and hepatic tissues and to inhibit gluconeogenesis, and the activities of the gluconeogenic enzymes: phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver and kidney as well as lipolysis in fat cells contributes as potential mechanisms to their anti-diabetic insulin-like effects. At the cellular level, vanadium activates several key elements of the insulin signal transduction pathway, such as the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B activation. These pathways are believed to mediate the metabolic actions of insulin. Because protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) are considered to be negative regulators of the insulin-signalling pathway, it is suggested that vanadium can enhance insulin signalling and action by virtue of its capacity to inhibit PTPase activity and increase tyrosine phosphorylation of substrate proteins. There are some concerns about the potential toxicity of available inorganic vanadium salts at higher doses and during long-term therapy. Therefore, new organo-vanadium compounds with higher potency and less toxicity need to be evaluated for their efficacy as potential treatment of human diabetes.

Binding patterns of vanadium ions with different valence states to human serum transferrin studied by HPLC/high-resolution ICP-MS

Vanadium (V) is an essential metal for mammals and has different valence states. In blood, V is bound to serum transferrin (Tf), a glycoprotein which has two metal-binding sites, and carbonate is generally required for the binding. In this study, the binding patterns of V(III), V(IV), and V(V) to human serum Tf (hTf) were analyzed using an HPLC system equipped with an anion-exchange column and directly connected to a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer for metal detection (51V). In affinity to hTf, the three ions were ranked V(III)>V(IV)>V(V) in the presence of bicarbonate and V(III) reverse congruent V(IV)>V(V) in the absence. Intermediates in the "open forms" binding to the respective sites were detected at the initial stage. V(IV) and V(V) were bound to the N-lobe site in the "closed form" and "open form," respectively. In the absence of bicarbonate, V ions with respective valence states were bound to hTf in the "open form." In terms of binding to hTf, tri-valent V was most favorable in the presence of bicarbonate.

Vanadate induces DNA strand breaks in cultured human fibroblasts at doses relevant to occupational exposure

To study possible genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to vanadium pentoxide, we determined DNA strand breaks (with alkaline comet assay), 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in whole blood leukocytes or lymphocytes of 49 male workers employed in a vanadium factory in comparison to 12 non-exposed controls. In addition, vanadate has been tested in vitro to induce DNA strand breaks in whole blood cells, isolated lymphocytes and cultured human fibroblasts of healthy donors at concentrations comparable to the observed levels of vanadium in vivo. To investigate the impact of vanadate on the repair of damaged DNA, co-exposure to UV or bleomycin was used in fibroblasts, and DNA migration in the alkaline and neutral comet assay was determined. Although, exposed workers showed a significant vanadium uptake (serum: median 5.38microg/l, range 2.18-46.35microg/l) no increase in cytogenetic effects or oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes could be demonstrated. This was consistent with the observation that in vitro exposure of whole blood leukocytes and lymphocytes to vanadate caused no significant changes in DNA strand breaks below concentrations of 1microM (50microg/l). In contrast, vanadate clearly induced DNA fragmentation in cultured fibroblasts at relevant concentrations. Combined exposure of fibroblasts to vanadate/UV or vanadate/bleomycin resulted in non-repairable DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) as seen in the neutral comet assay. We conclude that exposure of human fibroblasts to vanadate effectively causes DNA strand breaks, and co-exposure of cells to other genotoxic agents may result in persistent DNA damage.

Behaviour of vanadate and vanadium-transferrin complex on different anion-exchange columns. Application to in vivo 48V-labelled rat serum

The behaviour of free [48V]vanadate and [48V]vanadium-transferrin complex was investigated on five different anion-exchange columns (Mono Q 5/5 HR, Hitrap Q HP, Sepharose Q FF, Sepharose DEAE FF and Hitrap Q XL). The recovery of both V-compounds was quantitative. The peak shape and retention time of vanadate varied according to the type of column. The vanadium-transferrin complex also showed different elution patterns depending on the type of column. Especially in case of the Sepharose Q FF, Mono Q 5/5 HR and Hitrap Q XL columns the vanadium-transferrin binding was degraded during elution on the column. The results clearly prove that care should be taken as to the choice of column for speciation purposes of vanadium compounds in order to prevent various artefacts showing up in the chromatograms. A Hitrap Q HP column was used to fractionate different vanadium compounds in rat serum.

Fractionation of vanadium in urine of Wistar rats as a function of time after intraperitoneal injection

[(48)V]Vanadium was intraperitoneally injected into Wistar rats. Urine and feces were collected at regular intervals (n=19) between 1 and 144 h after injection. In case of urine, maximal excretion (V activity/ml urine) of vanadium was seen 3 h after injection. In case of feces, a maximum appeared 32 h after injection. Urine samples were fractionated on two types of gel filtration column (Superose 12 HR 10/30 and Superdex Peptide 10/30). We found that vanadium in urine exists as both high (protein-bound) and low molecular mass species and that the partition about these forms depends on the time elapsed after injection. After 1 h, respectively, four (one high molecular and three low molecular mass species) and five (one high molecular and four low molecular mass species) vanadium peaks were present in the chromatograms of the Superose 12 and the Superdex Peptide columns. Then 3 h after injection, a different high molecular species showed up in the chromatograms, while the first high molecular and some low molecular mass species disappeared. Vanadium in urine after 8 h occurred as one high (slightly different from the high molecular complex after 3 h) and one low molecular mass complex. However, after 48 h the pattern changed again and vanadium in urine was excreted largely as one low molecular mass species, presumably one of the species that also occurred 1 h after injection but was not present in the period 6-24 h.

Binding of vanadate to human albumin in infusion solutions, to proteins in human fresh frozen plasma, and to transferrin

The binding of vanadate (V) to human serum albumin (HSA) in infusion solutions, to human fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and to human transferrin (TF) was investigated over a wide concentration range. Free V concentrations were obtained by ultrafiltration. Total and free V concentrations were determined using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Binding parameters were obtained by non-linear regression. V only bound appreciably to HSA at low concentrations (<1 microM). The binding capacity of HSA was about 1000-fold lower than that of FFP and TF per mole of protein. Binding to FFP and TF in the concentration range investigated could be described by a combination of saturable and additional non-saturable binding. The respective maximal binding capacities (B(max), microM), dissociation constants (k(D), microM), and proportionality constants (C) for the non-saturable, linear binding were B(max)=27, k(D)=2.5, C=0.19 for FFP and B(max)=47, k(D)=0.47, C=0.38 for TF. The results suggest that V is predominantly bound to transferrin in FFP. It is concluded that HSA in infusion solutions represents a reservoir of readily accessible V. Nevertheless, given the high binding capacity of transferrin in plasma, the amount of vanadate delivered via the brief administration of HSA solutions is unlikely to be of major importance.

Structural origins of the insulin-mimetic activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV)

We have investigated the interaction of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(acac)(2)) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by EPR and angle-selected electron nuclear double resonance, correlating results with assays of glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. EPR spectra of VO(acac)(2) showed no broadening in the presence of BSA; however, electron nuclear double resonance titrations of VO(acac)(2) in the presence of BSA were indicative of adduct formation of VO(acac)(2) with albumin of 1:1 stoichiometry. The influence of VO(acac)(2) on uptake of 2-deoxy-d-[1-(14)C]glucose by serum-starved 3T3-L1 adipocytes was measured in the presence and absence of BSA. Glucose uptake was stimulated 9-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2), 17-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2) plus 1 mm BSA, and 22-fold in the presence of 100 nm insulin. BSA had no influence on glucose uptake, on the action of insulin, or on glucose uptake in the presence of VOSO(4). The maximum insulin-mimetic effect of VO(acac)(2) was observed at VO(acac)(2):BSA ratios less than or equal to 1.0. Similar results were obtained also with bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV). These results suggest that the enhanced insulin-mimetic action of organic chelates of VO(2+) may be dependent on adduct formation with BSA and possibly other serum transport proteins.

Pharmacokinetic study on gastrointestinal absorption of insulinomimetic vanadyl complexes in rats by ESR spectroscopy

Recently, we have shown that oral administrations of vanadyl (+4 oxidation state of vanadium) complexes normalize the blood glucose level of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-rats). To develop clinically useful insulin-mimetic vanadyl complexes, clarification of the pharmacokinetic features of vanadyl compounds is essential. First, we investigated the absorption processes of three compounds, an ionic form of vanadyl sulfate (VS) and the complex forms of bis(picolinato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(pic)2) and bis(6-methylpicolinato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(6mpa)2), from the gastrointestinal tract of healthy rats. The concentration curves of paramagnetic vanadyl species in the blood of rats after oral administration of these compounds, as monitored by X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, exhibited biphasic increasing patterns, indicating that these compounds were absorbed from more than two sites in the gastrointestinal tract. The bioavailability of the compounds was enhanced in the following order on both oral and intraperitoneal administration: VO(6mpa)2 > VO(pic)2 > VS. In addition, bioavailability of the VO(6mpa)2 on ileal administration was enhanced compared with that using other administration sites such as the stomach and jejunum, and resulted in an enhancement about 1.8 fold that compared with oral administration. On the basis of these results, we concluded that the bioavailability of the complex is enhanced most effectively by delivery of the VO(6mpa)2 complex to the ileum.

Non-ideal behaviour of free vanadate on a Superose 12 size-exclusion column. Application to in vivo 48V-labelled rat spleen homogenate

Seven chromatographic columns were evaluated for the recovery of 48V-radiolabelled vanadate. Further, the behaviour of vanadate (H2VO4-) was studied on a size-exclusion column Superose 12 as a function of (a) buffer salt molarity, (b) different buffer salts, (c) different buffers and (d) organic solvents added to the buffer. As opposed to the unsatisfactory recovery of V-compounds on other columns, we recovered the vanadium quantitatively. We observed that in most cases vanadate eluted after the total volume of the Superose 12 column. This indicates a non-ideal behaviour of vanadate. However, through this non-ideal behaviour it was possible to separate low-molecular-mass bound (Mr<5000) and unbound vanadium which would not be possible under normal behaviour. A possible explanation for this non-ideal behaviour of vanadium is put forward. The method has been successfully applied for the fractionation of different vanadium species in rat spleen homogenate.

Effect of vanadium(IV) compounds in the treatment of diabetes: in vivo and in vitro studies with vanadyl sulfate and bis(maltolato)oxovandium(IV)

Vanadyl sulfate (VOSO(4)) was given orally to 16 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus for 6 weeks at a dose of 25, 50, or 100 mg vanadium (V) daily [Goldfine et al., Metabolism 49 (2000) 1-12]. Elemental V was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). There was no correlation of V in serum with clinical response, determined by reduction of mean fasting blood glucose or increased insulin sensitivity during euglycemic clamp. To investigate the effect of administering a coordinated V, plasma glucose levels were determined in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats treated with the salt (VOSO(4)) or the coordinated V compound bis(maltolato)oxovandium(IV) (abbreviated as VO(malto)(2)) administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. There was no relationship of blood V concentration with plasma glucose levels in the animals treated with VOSO(4), similar to our human diabetic patients. However, with VO(malto)(2) treatment, animals with low plasma glucose tended to have high blood V. To determine if V binding to serum proteins could diminish biologically active serum V, binding of both VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) to human serum albumin (HSA), human apoTransferrin (apoHTf) and pig immunoglobulin (IgG) was studied with EPR spectroscopy. Both VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) bound to HSA and apoHTf forming different V-protein complexes, while neither V compound bound to the IgG. VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) showed differences when levels of plasma glucose and blood V in diabetic rodents were compared, and in the formation of V-protein complexes with abundant serum proteins. These data suggest that binding of V compounds to ligands in blood, such as proteins, may affect the available pool of V for biological effects.

Vanadyl(IV) binding to mammalian ferritins. An EPR study aided by site-directed mutagenesis

During its metabolism, vanadium is known to become associated with the iron storage protein, ferritin. To elucidate probable vanadium binding sites on the protein, VO2+ binding to mammalian ferritins was studied using site-directed mutagenesis and EPR spectroscopy. VO2+-apoferritin EPR spectra of human H-chain (100% H), L-chain (100% L), horse spleen (84% L, 16% H) and sheep spleen (45% L, 55% H) ferritins revealed the presence of alpha and beta VO2+ species in all the proteins, implying that the ligands for these species are conserved between the H- and L-chains. The alpha species is less stable than the beta species and decreases with increasing pH, demonstrating that the two species are not pH-related, a result contrary to earlier proposals. EPR spectra of site-directed HuHF variants of several residues conserved in H- and L-chain ferritins (Asp-131, Glu-134, His-118 and His-128) suggest that His-118 near the outer opening of the three-fold channel is probably a ligand for VO2+ and is responsible for the beta signals in the EPR spectrum. The data indicate that VO2+ does not bind to the Asp-131 and Glu-134 residues within the three-fold channels nor does it bind at the ferroxidase site residues Glu-62 or His-65 or at the putative nucleation site residues Glu-61,64,67. While the ferroxidase site is not a site for VO2+ binding, mutation of residues Glu-62 and His-65 of this site to Ala affects VO2+ binding at His-118, located some 17 A away. Thus, VO2+ spin probe studies provide a window on structural changes in ferritin not seen in most previous work and indicate that long-range effects caused by point mutations must be carefully considered when drawing conclusions from mutagenesis studies of the protein.

Vanadium

Vanadium is a steel-grey, corrosion-resistant metal, which exists in oxidation states ranging from -1 to +5. Metallic vanadium does not occur in nature, and the most common valence states are +3, +4, and +5. The pentavalent form (VO3-) predominates in extracellular body fluids whereas the quadrivalent form (VO+2) is the most common intracellular form. Because of its hardness and its ability to form alloys, vanadium (i.e., ferrovanadium) is a common component of hard steel alloys used in machines and tools. Although most foods contain low concentrations of vanadium (< 1 ng/g), food is the major source of exposure to vanadium for the general population. High air concentrations of vanadium occur in the occupation setting during boiler-cleaning operations as a result of the presence of vanadium oxides in the dust. The lungs absorb soluble vanadium compounds (V2O5) well, but the absorption of vanadium salts from the gastrointestinal tract is poor. The excretion of vanadium by the kidneys is rapid with a biological half-life of 20-40 hours in the urine. Vanadium is probably an essential trace element, but a vanadium-deficiency disease has not been identified in humans. The estimated daily intake of the US population ranges from 10-60 micrograms V. Vanadyl sulfate is a common supplement used to enhance weight training in athletes at doses up to 60 mg/d. In vitro and animal studies indicate that vanadate and other vanadium compounds increase glucose transport activity and improve glucose metabolism. In general, the toxicity of vanadium compounds is low. Pentavalent compounds are the most toxic and the toxicity of vanadium compounds usually increases as the valence increases. Most of the toxic effects of vanadium compounds result from local irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract rather than systemic toxicity. The only clearly documented effect of exposure to vanadium dust is upper respiratory tract irritation characterized by rhinitis, wheezing, nasal hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, cough, sore throat, and chest pain. Case studies have described the onset of asthma after heavy exposure to vanadium compounds, but clinical studies to date have not detected an increased prevalence of asthma in workers exposed to vanadium.

Metal storage and transport proteins increase after exposure of the rat lung to an air pollution particle

With the single exception of mercury, all metals in the atmosphere are associated with particles. The lungs are subsequently exposed to metals present in air pollution particles on a continuous basis. Because metal exposure can be associated with an oxidative stress, a mechanism that isolates the metal in a chemically less reactive form would be of benefit. We tested the hypothesis that the concentrations of both lactoferrin and ferritin in the rat lung increase after exposure to a metal-rich emission source air pollution particle. Using immunohistochemistry, we characterized changes in the concentrations of ferritin and lactoferrin after exposure of rats to an emission source air pollution particle. Lavage metal concentrations, measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, increased 4 hr after exposure to an oil fly ash. After exposure to this metal-rich emission source air pollution particle, ferritin concentrations in the lower respiratory tract increased. Comparable to the iron-storage protein, concentrations of both lactoferrin and transferrin were elevated after exposure. The greatest concentrations of ferritin, lactoferrin, and transferrin occurred at approximately 24 hr after exposure to the air pollution particle. Levels then decreased, and by 96 hr after instillation of the oil fly ash, ferritin, lactoferrin, and transferrin were not elevated relative to those animals exposed to saline. We conclude that, in response to an emission source air pollution particle with high concentrations of metals, there is an increase in ferritin, lactoferrin, and transferrin concentrations in the lungs of the host. The function of these increases in iron-binding proteins may be to control the oxidative stress associated with the exposure to metals.

Metal-dependent expression of ferritin and lactoferrin by respiratory epithelial cells

Increased availability of catalytically active metal has been associated with an oxidative injury. The sequestration of transition metals within intracellular ferritin confers an antioxidant function to this protein. Such storage by ferritin requires that the metal be transported across a cell membrane. We tested the hypothesis that, in response to in vitro exposures to catalytically active metal, respiratory epithelial cells increase the production of lactoferrin and ferritin to bind, transport, and store this metal with their coordination sites fully complexed. Residual oil fly ash is an emission source air pollution particle with biological effects that, both in vitro and in vivo, correspond with its metal content. Cell cultures were exposed to 0-200 micrograms/ml of oil fly ash for 2 and 24 h. Concentrations of ferritin and lactoferrin mRNA were estimated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and concentrations of ferritin and lactoferrin proteins were measured in parallel. mRNA for ferritin did not change with exposure to oil fly ash. However, ferritin protein concentrations increased. Although mRNA for transferrin receptor decreased, mRNA for lactoferrin increased after incubation with the particle. Similar to changes in mRNA, transferrin concentration decreased, whereas that of lactoferrin increased. Deferoxamine, a metal chelator, inhibited these responses, and exposure of the cells to vanadium compounds alone reproduced elevations in lactoferrin mRNA. We conclude that increases in ferritin and lactoferrin expression can be metal dependent. This response can function to diminish the oxidative stress a metal chelate presents to a living system.

Cytokine production by human airway epithelial cells after exposure to an air pollution particle is metal-dependent

Despite the many epidemiological studies supporting the contention that ambient air pollution particles can adversely affect human health, there is no clear agreement as to a biologically plausible mechanism which can explain the acute mortality and morbidity associated with exposure to particles less than 10 microm in size. We tested the hypothesis that metals present in an air pollution particle can induce the synthesis and expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-6, and TNFalpha. A residual oil fly ash (ROFA) containing the transition metals vanadium, nickel, and iron was used as a model emission source air pollution particle. Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were exposed for either 2 or 24 hr to 0, 5, 50, or 200 microg/ml ROFA. Concentrations of IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha proteins were measured with commercially available ELISA kits. mRNA for these same cytokines was quantified by RT-PCR. NHBE cells exposed to ROFA produced significant amounts of IL-8, IL-6, and TNF, as well as mRNAs coding for these cytokines. Cytokine production was inhibited by the inclusion of either the metal chelator deferoxamine (1.0 mM) or the free radical scavenger dimethylthiourea (1.0 mM). In addition, vanadium containing compounds, but not iron or nickel sulfates, mimicked the effects of intact ROFA. These results demonstrate that metals present in ROFA may be responsible for production and release of inflammatory mediators by the respiratory tract epithelium and suggest that these mediators may contribute to the toxic effects of particulate air pollutants reported in epidemiology studies.

Haematological effects of vanadium on living organisms

Although vanadium has been of great interest for many researchers over a number of years, its biochemical and physiological role is not yet fully clear. There are many papers describing the haematological consequences of its excess in living organisms and most of their data are quoted in this mini-review. The authors of these papers used various laboratory animals, different vanadium compounds, frequently different routes of administration and duration of intoxication. Hence a checklist and comparison of the results are rather difficult. Vanadium reduces the deformability of erythrocytes, and such cells are rather frequently retained in the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen and eliminated faster from the blood stream (Kogawa et al., 1976). Vanadium produces peroxidative changes in the erythrocyte membrane, this leading to haemolysis. Therefore, the depressed erythrocyte count in animals intoxicated with vanadium may be the consequence of both the haemolytic action of vanadium and the shortened time of survival of erythrocytes. Changes of the haem precursor level in blood serum and urine observed in humans exposed occupationally to vanadium suggest an influence of this element on haem synthesis. This problem requires, however, further studies and observations. Changes occurring under the influence of vanadium on the leukocyte system of animals suggest the influence of this element on the resistance of the organism, but the mechanism of the action of vanadium still requires elucidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

(Model) studies on vanadate-dependent bromo/iodoperoxidase from Ascophyllum nodosum. VO2+ is not incorporated into the active site

Vanadate-dependent peroxidase A.n.I, the main isoenzyme (M(r) = 100 kDa) from the seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum, contains 2 V per enzyme molecule (as shown by ICP-MS metal analysis) after complete reconstitution with vanadate (V), possibly distributed in a 1:1 ratio between the surface and active site. VO2+ is only weakly associated to the surface of A.n.I. There is no transport channel for VO2+. The EPR spectrum of the reduced holoenzyme is anisotropic (axial) already at room temperature, with EPR parameters similar to those of VO2+ complexes of small model peptides such as Ala-His, Gly-Tyr, Gly-Ser, Gly-Glu, Ser-Gly and Phe-Glu. The complex formation between Ala-His and H2VO4- in water has also been investigated (by 51V NMR); the formation constant at pH 7.2 amounts to 266(28) M-1.