Effects of vanadate on plasma lipoprotein profiles in experimental diabetic rats.

The insulin-like effects of vanadate have been intensively studied in the biological system. Lipids and lipoprotein profiles are altered in diabetes. Rats were made diabetic by a single i.v. injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight) in citrate buffer. After the overt of diabetes, the diabetic rats were treated with sodium orthovanadate (0.3 mg/ml) for fifteen days. The altered cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in plasma lipoprotein fractions (HDL, LDL and VLDL) were found to be reverted back to near normal levels in vanadate treated diabetic rats.