title: Essentiality and toxicity of vanadium supplements in health and pathology.
abstract: The biological properties of vanadium complexes have become an object of interest due to their therapeutic potential in several diseases. However, the mechanisms of action of vanadium salts are still poorly understood. Vanadium complexes are cofactors for several enzymes and also exhibit insulin-mimetic properties. Thus, they are involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, including in patients with diabetes. In addition, vanadium salts may also normalize blood pressure and play a key role in the metabolism of the thyroid and of iron as well as in the regulation of total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL and triglyceride (TG) levels in blood. Moreover, in cases of hypoxia, vanadium compounds may improve cardiomyocytes function. They may also exhibit both carcinogenic and anti-cancer properties. These include dose- and exposure-time-dependent induction and inhibition of the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. On the other hand, the balance between vanadium's therapeutic properties and its side effects has not yet been determined. Therefore, any studies on the potential use of vanadium compounds as supplements to support the treatment of a number of diseases must be strictly monitored for adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. mianna@gumed.edu.pl.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gruzewska
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michno
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pawelczyk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bielarczyk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000633:toxicity; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D014639:Vanadium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D014639:Vanadium