The effects of peroxovanadate and peroxovanadyl on glucose metabolism in vivo and identification of signal transduction proteins involved in the mechanism of action in isolated soleus muscle.

The insulin-like effects of peroxovanate (POV) and peroxovanadyl (PSV) on rates of lactate formation and glycogen synthesis were measured in isolated incubated soleus muscle preparations. In another experiment rats were made insulin deficient by streptozotocin injection and treated with POV and PSV (0.25 mM) administered in the drinking water and in the course of 7 days glycemia were determined. Also, signal transduction proteins ERK 1 and ERK 2 involved in the insulin signaling were measured in soleus muscle of diabetic rats treated with POV and PSV. Peroxides of vanadate and vanadyl significantly stimulated glucose utilization in soleus muscle preparations in vitro. The stimulation of glycogen synthesis and lactate formation by POV and PSV was similar to insulin stimuli. Rats treated with POV or PSV presented reduction of glycemia, food and fluid intake with amelioration of the diabetic state during the short period of treatment (7 days). POV and PSV modulated ERK1/2 phosphorilation and the insulin administration in these rats caused an addictive effect on phosphorilation state of these proteins.