Vanadium compounds biological actions and potential as pharmacological agents.
Trends Endocrinol Metab
; 8(2): 51-8, 1997 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18406786
Vanadium is an element found in low concentrations in mammals, for which a function remains to be discovered. Over the past century, vanadium compounds have been suggested anecdotally as therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases. The discovery that vanadate inhibits various enzymes, in particular protein tyrosine phosphatases, and mimics many of the biological actions of insulin suggested a potential role in the therapy of diabetes mellitus. Successful use and an enhancement of insulin sensitivity in rodents and human diabetic subjects, as well as the finding that these agents are capable of stimulating metabolic effects while bypassing the insulin receptor and the early steps in insulin action, target these agents preferentially toward type II diabetes mellitus. Long-term safety remains a major concern, as tissue accumulation and relative nonspecificity of enzyme inhibition may result in adverse effects. Continued research into mechanism of action, consequences of chronic administration, and improvement of specificity is warranted. Regardless of their ultimate success or failure as therapeutic agents, vanadium compounds continue to be useful probes of enzyme structure and function in various biological processes. (Trends Endocrinol Metab 1997;8:51-58). (c) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trends Endocrinol Metab
Asunto de la revista:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
/
METABOLISMO
Año:
1997
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos