Regulation and control of glucose overutilization in erythrocytes by vanadate.

The insulin mimetic effect of vanadate in in vitro incubation of erythrocytes with high glucose concentrations showed an increase in sorbitol accumulation and glucose utilization using U-14C-glucose. Aldose reductase inhibitors and vanadate addition reversed the sorbitol accumulation, whereas insulin could not reverse it. Increased glucose utilization was also normalized with vanadium compounds. Increased activity of aldose reductase and sorbitol levels in diabetic animals were also normalized with vanadate treatment.