Vanadium pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability upon single-dose administration of vanadyl sulfate to rats

Association Between Urinary Metal Levels and Chronic Kidney Dysfunction in Rural China: A Study on Sex-Specific Differences

BACKGROUND

While current epidemiological studies have documented associations between environmental metals and renal dysfunction, the majority have concentrated on plasma metal levels. The relationship between urinary metal exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains contentious, particularly within specific demographic groups.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 2919 rural Chinese adults recruited between 2018 and 2019. Urine metals were measured by ICP-MS. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was employed to identify metals significantly associated with CKD. Then, we used binary logistic regression, along with restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, to assess the individual exposure effects of specific metals on CKD. Quantile g-computation, weighted quantile sum regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to evaluate combined effects of metal exposures on CKD. Gender-stratified analyses were also conducted to explore these associations.

RESULTS

LASSO identified seven metals (V, Cu, Rb, Sr, Ba, W, Pb) with significant impacts on CKD. In single-metal models, Cu and W exhibited a positive correlation with CKD, whereas V, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb showed significant negative correlations (all p < 0.05). RCS analysis revealed nonlinear associations between V, Cu, Ba, Pb, and CKD (all p-nonlinear < 0.05). In the multi-metal model, quantile-based g-computation demonstrated a collective negative association with CKD risk for the seven mixed urinary metal exposures (OR (95% CI) = -0.430 (-0.656, -0.204); p < 0.001), with V, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb contributing to this effect. The WQS model analysis further confirmed this joint negative association (OR (95% CI): -0.885 (-1.083, -0.899); p < 0.001), with V as the main contributor. BKMR model analysis indicated an overall negative impact of the metal mixture on CKD risk. Interactions may exist between V and Cu, as well as Cu and Sr and Pb. The female subgroup in the BKMR model demonstrated consistency with the overall association.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings demonstrate a negative association between the urinary metal mixture and CKD risk, particularly notable in females. Joint exposure to multiple urinary metals may involve synergistic or antagonistic interactions influencing renal function. Further research is needed to validate these observations and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Systemic exposure and urinary excretion of vanadium following perinatal subchronic exposure to vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate via drinking water

Vanadium is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant although there are limited data to assess potential adverse human health impact following oral exposure. In support of studies investigating the subchronic toxicity of vanadyl sulfate (V4+) and sodium metavanadate (V5+) following perinatal exposure via drinking water in male and female rats, we have determined the internal exposure and urinary excretion of total vanadium at the end of study. Water consumption decreased with increasing exposure concentration following exposure to both compounds. Plasma and urine vanadium concentration normalized to total vanadium consumed per day increased with the exposure concentration of vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate suggesting absorption increased as the exposure concentration increased. Additionally, females had higher concentrations than males (in plasma only for vanadyl sulfate exposure). Animals exposed to sodium metavanadate had up to 3-fold higher vanadium concentration in plasma and urine compared to vanadyl sulfate exposed animals, when normalized to total vanadium consumed per day, demonstrating differential absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties between V5+ and V4+ compounds. These data will aid in the interpretation of animal toxicity data of V4+ and V5+ compounds and determine the relevance of animal toxicity findings to human exposures.

Vanadium: Risks and possible benefits in the light of a comprehensive overview of its pharmacotoxicological mechanisms and multi-applications with a summary of further research trends

BACKGROUND

Vanadium (V) is an element with a wide range of effects on the mammalian organism. The ability of this metal to form organometallic compounds has contributed to the increase in the number of studies on the multidirectional biological activity of its various organic complexes in view of their application in medicine.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims at summarizing the current state of knowledge of the pharmacological potential of V and the mechanisms underlying its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity as well as the mechanisms of appetite regulation related to the possibility of using this element in the treatment of obesity. The toxicological potential of V and the mechanisms of its toxic action, which have not been sufficiently recognized yet, as well as key information about the essentiality of this metal, its physiological role, and metabolism with certain aspects on the timeline is collected as well. The report also aims to review the use of V in the implantology and industrial sectors emphasizing the human health hazard as well as collect data on the directions of further research on V and its interactions with Mg along with their character.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Multidirectional studies on V have shown that further analyses are still required for this element to be used as a metallodrug in the fight against certain life-threatening diseases. Studies on interactions of V with Mg, which showed that both elements are able to modulate the response in an interactive manner are needed as well, as the results of such investigations may help not only in recognizing new markers of V toxicity and clarify the underlying interactive mechanism between them, thus improving the medical application of the metals against modern-age diseases, but also they may help in development of principles of effective protection of humans against environmental/occupational V exposure.

Investigations on Modulating Effect of Vanadium Supplementation on Growth and Metabolism Through Improved Immune Response, Antioxidative Profile and Endocrine Variables in Hariana heifers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vanadium (V) supplementation on growth, metabolism, antioxidant, and immunological and endocrine variables in Hariana heifers. Eighteen indigenous Hariana heifers (body weight 130.0 ± 3.0 kg; age 10.0 ± 2.0 months) were randomly blocked into three groups, each comprising of six animals. All the animals were on same dietary plan except that the respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg of V/kg dry matter (DM), during the experimental period of 90 days. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in mean DMI and ADG in 5.0 mg of V/kg DM-supplemented group. However, the feed efficiency remained unaffected. Although no effects (p > 0.05) of V supplementation were observed on hemato-biochemical attributes, the mean plasma V concentration showed dose-dependent increase (p < 0.001) on V supplementation. The activity of SOD was significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas mean values of LPO decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) also increased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma IgG levels increased linearly (p < 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 concentrations showed significant effect (p < 0.05) of V supplementation. Plasma T4 concentration increased linearly (p < 0.05). The results suggest that V supplementation may play a role in modulating the immunity and antioxidant status of growing Hariana heifers. Graphical Abstract.

14-Day Toxicity Studies of Tetravalent and Pentavalent Vanadium Compounds in Harlan Sprague Dawley Rats and B6C3F1/N Mice via Drinking Water Exposure

BACKGROUND

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) performed short-term toxicity studies of tetra- and pentavalent vanadium compounds, vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate, respectively. Due to widespread human exposure and a lack of chronic toxicity data, there is concern for human health following oral exposure to soluble vanadium compounds.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the potency and toxicological profile of vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate using a short-term in vivo toxicity assay.

METHODS

Adult male and female Harlan Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice, 5 per group, were exposed to vanadyl sulfate or sodium metavanadate, via drinking water, at concentrations of 0, 125, 250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/L for 14 days. Water consumption, body weights and clinical observations were recorded throughout the study; organ weights were collected at study termination.

RESULTS

Lower water consumption, up to -80% at 2000 mg/L, was observed at most exposure concentrations for animals exposed to either vanadyl sulfate or sodium metavanadate and was accompanied by decreased body weights at the highest concentrations for both compounds. Animals in the 1000 and 2000 mg/L sodium metavanadate groups were removed early due to overt toxicity. Thinness was observed in high-dose animals exposed to either compound, while lethargy and abnormal gait were only observed in vanadate-exposed animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on clinical observations and overt toxicity, sodium metavanadate appears to be more toxic than vanadyl sulfate. Differential toxicity cannot be explained by differences in total vanadium intake, based on water consumption, and may be due to differences in disposition or mechanism of toxicity.

Vanadium Compounds as Pro-Inflammatory Agents: Effects on Cyclooxygenases

This paper discusses how the activity and expression of cyclooxygenases are influenced by vanadium compounds at anticancer concentrations and recorded in inorganic vanadium poisonings. We refer mainly to the effects of vanadate (orthovanadate), vanadyl and pervanadate ions; the main focus is placed on their impact on intracellular signaling. We describe the exact mechanism of the effect of vanadium compounds on protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), PLCγ, Src, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, transcription factor NF-κB, the effect on the proteolysis of COX-2 and the activity of cPLA₂. For a better understanding of these processes, a lot of space is devoted to the transformation of vanadium compounds within the cell and the molecular influence on the direct targets of the discussed vanadium compounds.

Effects of vanadium (V) and magnesium (Mg) on rat bone tissue: mineral status and micromorphology. Consequences of V-Mg interactions

The extent to which the 12 week separate and combined administration of vanadium (as sodium metavanadate--SMV, 0.125 mg V per ml) and magnesium (as magnesium sulphate--MS, 0.06 mg Mg per ml) affects bone mineral status and micromorphology as well as the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in femoral diaphysis (FD) was examined in male rats. The bone chemical composition of SMV-exposed rats was also investigated. SMV alone or in combination with MS (as SMV-MS) reduced the levels of MgFD (by 21% and 20%) and PFD (by 12% and 9%), lowered the CaFD content (by 7% and 10%), and caused a rise of the FeFD concentration (by 22.5% and 17%), compared with the control; SMV alone also reduced and enhanced the KFD and ZnFD concentrations (by 19% and 15%, respectively) but remained without significant effect on the femoral bone surface roughness (FBSR), whereas MS alone lowered the VFD, PFD, and CuFD levels (by 42%, 10%, and 20.6%), reduced FBSR, and created the regular femoral bone surface shape. The SMV-MS combination also induced a decline and rise in the levels of CuFD (by 30%) and NaFD (by 15%), respectively, compared with the control and the MS-supplemented rats; elevated ALPFD activity (by 24%, 35%, and 40%), compared with the control, SMV-exposed, and MS-supplemented animals; and increased FBSR. Relationships between the root mean square roughness (Sq) and skewness (Ssk): Sq [MS < SMV < Control < SMV-MS] ⇔ Ssk [SMV-MS > Control > SMV > MS], ALPFD and Sq: ALPFD⇔ Sq [SMV-MS > Control > SMV > MS], and between other variables were demonstrated. A partial limitation of the drop in the PFD and KFD levels and normalization of the ZnFD concentration were a consequence of the V-Mg antagonistic interaction whereas a consequence of the V-Mg synergistic interaction was the increase in the NaFD level, ALPFD activity, and FBSR. Ca10(PO4)5(SiO4)(OH) was part of the inorganic component of the bone of the SMV-exposed rats.

The renal effects of vanadate exposure: potential biomarkers and oxidative stress as a mechanism of functional renal disorders--preliminary studies

The alterations in the levels/activities of selected biomarkers for detecting kidney toxicity and in the levels of some oxidative stress (OS) markers and elements were studied in male rats to evaluate biochemically the degree of kidney damage, investigate the role of OS in the mechanism of functional renal disorders, reveal potential biomarkers of renal function, and assess the renal mineral changes in the conditions of a 12-week sodium metavanadate (SMV, 0.125 mg V/mL) exposure. The results showed that OS is involved in the mechanism underlying the development of SMV-induced functional renal disturbances. They also suggest that the urinary cystatin C (CysCu) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1u) could be the most appropriate to evaluate renal function at the conditions of SMV intoxication when the fluid intake, excreted urinary volume (EUV), body weight (BW), and the urinary creatinine excretion (Creu) decreased. The use of such tests as the urinary lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (LDHu, ALPu, GGTPu, and NAGu) seems not to be valid given their reduced activities. The use of only traditional biomarkers of renal function in these conditions may, in turn, be insufficient because their alterations are greatly influenced by the changes in the fluid intake and/or BW.

The influence of combined magnesium and vanadate administration on the level of some elements in selected rat organs: V–Mg interactions and the role of iron-essential protein (DMT-1) in the mechanism underlying altered tissues iron level

The levels of elements in rats' organs in the V–Mg interaction. A role of DMT-1 in tissue Fe homeostasis.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the insulin-mimetic agent vanadyl acetylacetonate in non-diabetic and diabetic rats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of vanadyl acetylacetonate (VAC) in rats. Pharmacodynamic study was carried out using non-diabetic and diabetic rats by subcutaneous (s.c.) and intragastric (i.g.) administrations at single dose or multiple doses. Pharmacokinetic study was performed using non-diabetic rats. Results showed that VAC resulted in a significant decrease of plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats in all dosing levels, and nearly restored hyperglycemic values to normal values after s.c. injection at a single dose of 2, 4, and 8 mg vanadium (V)/kg, or after i.g. administration at multiple doses of 3 and 6 mg V/kg once daily for seven consecutive days, respectively. The VAC could be rapidly absorbed and T(max) values ranged from 0.9 +/- 0.3 h for s.c. injection to 3.0 +/- 0.9 h for i.g. administration. The average absolute bioavailabilities for i.g. administrations at a single dose of 3, 6, and 10 mg V/kg were 34.7%, 28.1%, and 22.8%, respectively. After i.g. administration at a single dose of 10 mg V/kg, the average elimination half-lives obtained from non-diabetic rats were very long ranging from 144.7 +/- 8.7 h in plasma to 657.3 +/- 34.8 h in femur tissue. In conclusion, VAC widely distributed in various tissues and accumulated more in the femur tissue. The time to reach maximal vanadium level after s.c. injection or i.g. administration was not coincident with the time to reach maximal hypoglycemic effect. The accumulated vanadium in bone, kidney or other tissues may gradually release and exert a longer action. In present dosing levels and administration routes, VAC was effective for lowering plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats and could reverse the higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels to the normal ranges. VAC did not influence the insulin levels in plasma and not cause obvious toxic signs like diarrhea.

Sodium orthovanadate exerts influence on liver Golgi complexes from control and streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The paper presents the effect of one-week 3mM sodium orthovanadate (Na3VO4) oral treatment of control and streptozotocin[STZ]-diabetic rats. The body weight decreased as compared with untreated control (C group) in both vanadate treated groups (C + V and D + V) and in diabetic untreated rats (D group)--in all cases p < 0.01. A similar tendency was demonstrated by the weight of the livers, which was statistically significant lower than in the controls (p < 0.01). The fluid and food intake were lower in comparison with control vanadium treated groups, in D + V as compared with D it was limited, however, not achieved control level. A high mortality rate, approx. 67%, after the administration of streptozotocin and vanadate (D + V group) was noted; such result had never been previously found within all study groups of rats. But the surviving rats show very good decreased (60%) free blood sugar levels, however euglycaemia was not achieved. The activity of galactosyltransferase, the Golgi complex marker enzyme in group D, was statistically lower than the controls (p < 0.001). Treatment of STZ-diabetic rats with orthovanadate did not increase the enzyme activity toward control level, in both diabetic groups (treated and untreated with Na3VO4) similar dispersion of individual results was found. Morphological study demonstrated, for the first time, no larger cellular lesion in C + V group. The Golgi complex was well developed; showed several cisterns at the trans side, which were grossly distended and contained electron-lucid floccular material. In D + V group typical, cylindrical forms of Golgi complexes predominated. These structures consisted of 3-4 almost practically non-distended cisterns. Also in this case, large, electron-dense vesicles were noted in the vicinity. In this group, small in size, myelin-like structures were also found. These structures might indicate a relatively small, but nevertheless clear damage of the internal membrane system. The external cistern of the cylindrical forms of Golgi complexes, which corresponded the trans side, was often markedly distended and formed a vacuole-like structure filled with electron lucent material; the structure itself sometimes looked empty. Multi-vesicular structures were observed also in this case, but they were seen much more rarely.