Abstract. Over the last several decades, a large body of evidence has accumulated to suggest that organo-vanadium compounds (OVC) are more potent than inorganic vanadium salts in regulating hyperglycemia and insulin-resistance in rodent models of both type I and type II diabetes. Among these OVC, vanadium (IV) oxo bis(maltolato) (BMOV) was the first to be investigated for its higher potency over inorganic vanadium salts in eliciting insulin-like properties in both in vitro and in vivo systems. While the precise molecular mechanism by which BMOV exerts its insulin-mimetic effects remains poorly defined, studies have shown that BMOV is a potent activator of several key components of the insulin signaling pathways, such as phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), and its downstream effector, protein kinase B (PKB). In addition, BMOV-induced phosphorylation of PKB has also been associated with the enhanced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and forkhead box protein 1 (FOXO1). Since PKB is instrumental in mediating the effects of insulin on glucose transport, glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis, it is reasonable to suggest that activation of this pathway by BMOV serves as a mechanism for its insulin-like effects.
Contents1. Introduction 2. The insulin signaling pathway 3. BMOV, protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) and insulin signaling 4. BMOV activates PKB phosphorylation 5. BMOV enhances phosphorylation of GSK-3 6. BMOV enhances phosphorylation of FOXO1 7. BMOV and IR phosphorylation 8. Conclusions
IntroductionRecent decades have witnessed a dramatic surge in the incidence of diabetes, and according to the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), about 180 million people worldwide currently have this disease, which may double by 2030 (1). Diabetes is caused by an absolute or relative lack of insulin secretion or action. Insulin is a polypeptide hormone, synthesized and secreted by the ß-cells of the pancreas, which regulates carbohydrate metabolism. Two major forms of diabetes are: type 1, formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and type 2, that is, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In type 1 diabetes, the absolute lack of insulin secretion is due primarily to the destruction of ß-cells by autoimmune mechanisms. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes, ß-cells are able to produce insulin, but their insulin secretory response and insulin action on target tissues are defective. About 90% of the total diabetic population falls into the type 2 category, while the remaining 10% are type 1. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by diet control and/or by oral hypoglycemic agents, such as sulfonylurea, biguanides and thiazolidinediones. However, type 1 diabetics require regular daily injections of insulin to treat their diabetes, as well as some type 2 diabetics in the advanced stage of the disease. Although the availability of highly-purified insulin and the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs as monotherapy or in combination with other agents have greatly improved the management of...