Abstract  We demonstrated in 1985 that vanadium administered in the drinking water to streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats restored elevated blood glucose to normal. Subsequent studies have shown that vanadyl sulfate can lower elevated blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in a variety of diabetic models including the STZ diabetic rat, the Zucker fatty rat and the Zucker diabetic fatty rat. Long-term studies of up to one year did not show toxicity in control or STZ rats administered vanadyl sulfate in doses that lowered elevated blood glucose. In the BB diabetic rat, a model of insulin-dependent diabetes, vanadyl sulfate lowered the insulin requirement by up to 75%. Vanadyl sulfate is effective orally when administered by either single dose or chronic doses. It is also effective by the intraperitoneal route. We have also been able to demonstrate marked long-term effects of vanadyl sulfate in diabetic animals following treatment and withdrawal of vanadyl sulfate. Because vanadyl sulfate is not well absorbed we have synthesized and tested a number of organic vanadium compounds. One of these, bismaltolato-oxovanadium IV (BMOV), has shown promise as a therapeutic agent. BMOV is 2-3x more potent than vanadyl sulfate and has shown less toxicity. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that the effects of vanadium are not due to a decrease in food intake and that while vanadium is deposited in bone it does not appear to affect bone strength or architecture. The mechanism of action of vanadium is currently under investigation. Several studies indicate that vanadium is a phosphatase inhibitor and that vanadium can activate serine/threonine kinases distal to the insulin receptor presumably by preventing dephosphorylation due to inhibition of phosphatases Short-term clinical trials using inorganic vanadium compounds in diabetic patients have been promising.

Abstract  The aquatic chemistry of vanadium is dominated by V(IV) and V(V). Their species VO2+, VO(OH)+ and H2VO−4, HVO2−4, respectively, occur primarily in natural waters. VO2+, as a very hard Lewis acid, has a strong tendency to coordinate with oxygen donor atoms and is thus capable of both forming strong complexes with soluble organic chelates and becoming specifically adsorbed to particles, especially hydrous oxides. Vanadates (V), like phosphates, also have a tendency to form, by ligand exchange, surface complexes with hydrous oxides. The V(IV)–V(V) couple is an interesting redox sensor because the redox transition occurs at EH-values typically often encountered at the sediment water interface; organic chelate formation may extend the redox boundary to EH-values of about +0.4V (pH 7–8), but in the presence of dissolved oxygen vanadate(V) prevails. Experimental data on the adsorption of VO2+ and of V(V) (HVO2−4, VO+2) on δ-Al2O3 and TiO2 (anatase) surfaces provide evidence for strong specific adsorption. The interaction of VO2+ with oxide surfaces is interpreted in terms of inner-sphere bidentate surface complexes with the surface central metal ions of the oxide VO(OM<)2; vanadate and VO2+ form monodentate surface species. The rate of oxidation of VO2+ by oxygen is significantly enhanced by hydrolysis or adsorption to hydrous oxide surfaces. The rate law, derived earlier (Wehrli and Stumm, 1988) shows a first order dependence on the concentration of VO(OH)+ in homogeneous solution or on the concentration of the surface complex of VO(OM<)2 in heterogeneous systems. A comparison with published data on Mn(II) and Fe(II) oxidation shows that coordinated OH-groups of solid surfaces are able, like soluble hydroxo complexes, to mediate the electron transfer from the metal ions to the O2-molecule.

Abstract  The trace element vanadium has been studied by the nutrition community for four decades, yet has not achieved essential status for human beings. It is found in compounds at valences of 2, 3, 4, or 5, with the tetravalent and pentavalent forms being the most common. In human beings, pharmacologic amounts of vanadium (ie, 10 to 100 times normal intake) affect cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, influence the shape of erythrocytes, and stimulate glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis in the liver. Vanadium's primary mode of action is as a cofactor that enhances or inhibits enzymes. Recent evidence suggests that vanadium may be essential for higher animals. After their mothers had been fed carefully formulated vanadium-deficient diets, second-generation goat kids suffered skeletal damage and died within 3 days of parturition. Although ubiquitous in air, soil, water, and the food supply, vanadium is generally found in nanogram or microgram quantities, which makes it difficult to measure. Estimates for the American intake of vanadium (based on a food intake of 500 g dry weight) are 10 to 60 micrograms/day. Vanadium levels in diets from five regions of the United States range from 30.9 +/- 1.5 in the Southeast to 50.5 +/- 1.5 micrograms/kg dry weight in the West. Although vanadium is thought to be essential for goats, new data may soon support its essentiality in human beings.

Abstract  Twelve Florida native wethers were given ammonium metavandate, calcium orthovanadate and calcium pyrovanadate by capsule in a study to examine the toxicity of the compounds. The initial daily dosage of 100 mg elemental vanadium was increased by 50 mg at 2-d intervals for an assessment not only of the toxic effects, but also to determined the amount that caused a decline in feed intake to 25% of that of control animals. The initial decline in feed intake was observed at 400 to 500 mg vanadium/d (9.6 to 12 mg/kg body weight, 310 to 350 ppm); a rapid decline in feed intake was accompanied by diarrhea. One sheep fed 550 mg vanadium as calcium orthovanadate died 3 d after dosing. One animal on each of the other three treatments was killed and necropsied for immediate comparison. Extensive mucosal hemorrhage of the small intestine and diffuse or petechial subcapsular hemorrhages of the kidneys were observed for sheep fed all compounds. The three vanadium compounds appeared to be similar in toxicity, as determined by abrupt declines in feed intake and pathological changes of the intestine and kidney. For a determination of acute toxicosis, three sheep were given 40 mg/kg body weight of vanadium as NH4VO3 in gelatin capsules and two sheep were included as controls. Two of the treated animals died within 80 h after administration and the other three were killed at 96 h. Vanadium content of kidney, liver, bone, spleen, lung and muscle was elevated by treatment.

Abstract  Vanadium is recognized worldwide as the most abundant metallic constituent in petroleum. It is causing undesired side effects in the refining process, and corrosion in oil-fired power plants. Consequently, it is the most widely determined metal in petroleum and its derivatives. This paper offers a critical review of analytical methods based on atomic spectrometric techniques, particularly flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition an overview is provided of the sample pretreatment and preparation procedures for vanadium determination in petroleum and petroleum products. Also included are the most recent studies about speciation and fractionation analysis using atomic spectrometric techniques.

Abstract  Female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to ammonium metavanadate (NH4VO3) by intraperitoneal injection every 3 d at 2.5, 5.0, or 10 mg V/kg for 3, 6, or 9 w and were then assayed for alterations in immunoresponsiveness. Resistance to Escherichia coli endotoxin lethality increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 6 w of exposure, while resistance to viable gram-positive Listeria lethality was depressed in a dose-dependent manner. Comparison of LD20 values indicated a 250-fold decrease in resistance to Listeria at the lowest vanadium exposure and a 40% increase in resistance to endotoxin after the highest vanadium exposure. Peritoneal macrophage phagocytic capacities were decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but viabilities remained unaffected. Rosetting capacity of splenic lymphocytes was increased following vanadium exposure. Liver and splenic enlargement was observed, and examination of splenic tissue indicated enhanced formation of megakaryocytes and red blood cell precursors. Subchronic exposure to vanadium may thus disrupt the normal function of the immune system.

Abstract  We examined the in vivo metabolic effects of vanadyl sulfate (VS) in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Six NIDDM subjects treated with diet and/or sulfonylureas were examined at the end of three consecutive periods: placebo for 2 wk, VS (100 mg/d) for 3 wk, and placebo for 2 wk. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (30 mU/m2.min) clamps and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed at the end of each study period. Glycemic control at baseline was poor (fasting plasma glucose 210 +/- 19 mg/dl; HbA1c 9.6 +/- 0.6%) and improved after treatment (181 +/- 14 mg/dl [P < 0.05], 8.8 +/- 0.6%, [P < 0.002]); fasting and post-glucose tolerance test plasma insulin concentrations were unchanged. After VS, the glucose infusion rate during the clamp was increased (by approximately 88%, from 1.80 to 3.38 mg/kg.min, P < 0.0001). This improvement was due to both enhanced insulin-mediated stimulation of glucose uptake (rate of glucose disposal [Rd], +0.89 mg/kg.min) and increased inhibition of HGP (-0.74 mg/kg.min) (P < 0.0001 for both). Increased insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis (+0.74 mg/kg.min, P < 0.0003) accounted for > 80% of the increased Rd after VS, and the improvement in insulin sensitivity was maintained after the second placebo period. The Km of skeletal muscle glycogen synthase was lowered by approximately 30% after VS treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that 3 wk of treatment with VS improves hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant NIDDM humans. These effects were sustained for up to 2 wk after discontinuation of VS.

Abstract  Radioanalytical techniques and atomic-absorption spectrometry have been used for the micro-determination of vanadium in biological specimens such as human tissues and body fluids in environmental, biochemical and toxicological research. The use of 48V as a radiotracer permitted investigations on the vaporisation and retention mechanisms of vanadium. Higher vanadium oxides are probably converted into lower oxides, decomposing to VO in gaseous form, followed by the dissociation to ‘free vanadium’ and oxygen. It was found that about 20% of the 48V radioactivity was consistently retained in the graphite tube after 10 repeated introductions and firings of 50 µl of 50 ng ml–148V-labelled vanadium solution. However, the amount retained, probably in the form of carbide, does not vaporise under the conditions used for the analysis. Determinations of vanadium at the parts per billion level in 10 urine samples by neutron-activation analysis and by graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry showed agreement that can be considered satisfactory for practical purposes.

Abstract  Vanadium was determined by both instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and NAA with radiochemical separation (RNAA) in hair of normal children and of children potentially exposed by accidental drinking of vanadium contaminated water (long-term, low-dose exposure). Vanadium hair levels in the two groups did not differ significantly and were in the range 46-313 micrograms/kg (median 98 micrograms/kg) and 24-235 micrograms/kg (median 88 micrograms/kg for the normal and exposed groups, respectively. Using RNAA with proven reliability at the ultratrace level, vanadium was determined in whole blood of the exposed and normal children, normal adults and workers professionally exposed to vanadium in a factory producing vanadium pentoxide. Significantly increased vanadium concentrations were found in blood of exposed children (range 0.018-0.239 micrograms/l, median 0.078 micrograms/l) compared to normal children (range 0.024-0.226 micrograms/l, median 0.042 micrograms/l), while no differences could be detected between blood vanadium levels of normal children and normal adults (range 0.032-0.095 micrograms/l, median 0.056 micrograms/l). Preliminary results for vanadium in blood of occupationally highly exposed persons showed values 2-4 orders of magnitude higher than in normal adults.

Abstract  Sixteen chemicals currently being tested in National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenicity studies were evaluated in the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell in vitro micronucleus assay. Results from these studies were compared to the results from the SHE cell transformation assay for the same chemicals The overall concordance between induction of micronuclei and transformation of SHE cells was 56%, which is far lower that the 93% concordance between these two tests reported previously by Fritzenschaf et al. (1993; Mutation Res. 319, 47-53). The difference between our results appears to be due to differences in the types of chemicals in the two studies. Overall, there is good agreement between the SHE cell micronucleus and transformation assays for mutagenic chemicals, but, as our study highlights, the SHE cell transformation assay has the added utility of detecting nonmutagenic carcinogens. The utility of a multi-endpoint assessment in SHE cells for carcinogen screening is discussed.