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Toxicology of vanadium compounds in diabetic rats: The action of chelating agents on vanadium accumulation

  • Part III: Potential Use in Therapy and Toxicological Studies
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Abstract

The possible use of vanadium compounds in the treatment of diabetic patients is now being evaluated. However, previously to establish the optimal maximum dose for diabetes therapy, it should be taken into account that vanadium is a highly toxic element to man and animals. The toxic effects of vanadium are here reviewed. The tissue vanadium accumulation, which would mean an additional risk of toxicity following prolonged vanadium administration is also discussed. Recently, it has been shown that coadministration of vanadate and TIRON, an effective chelator in the treatment of vanadium intoxication, reduced the tissue accumulation of this element, decreasing the possibility of toxic side effects derived from chronic vanadium administration without diminishing the hypoglycemic effect of vanadium. However, previously to assess the effectiveness of this treatment in diabetic patients, a critical reevaluation of the antidiabetic action of vanadium and its potential toxicity is clearly needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Toxicology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, ‘Rovira i Virgili’ University, San Lorenzo 21, 43201, Reus, Spain

    Jose L. Domingo, Mercedes Gomez, Domenec J. Sanchez & Juan M. Llobet

  2. Department of Nutrition, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA

    Carl L. Keen

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  1. Jose L. Domingo
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  2. Mercedes Gomez
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  3. Domenec J. Sanchez
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  4. Juan M. Llobet
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  5. Carl L. Keen
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Domingo, J.L., Gomez, M., Sanchez, D.J. et al. Toxicology of vanadium compounds in diabetic rats: The action of chelating agents on vanadium accumulation. Mol Cell Biochem 153, 233–240 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01075942

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