Effects of vanadium on glucose metabolism in vitro

Although vanadium is found abundantly in the animal and plant kingdoms it has no known biological function. Vanadate compounds have been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis, enhance phospholipid oxidation and impair ATP production. In the present study, vanadium is observed to affect glucose metabolism directly in a number of in vitro assay systems, including the stimulation of glucose oxidation and transport in adipocytes, stimulation of glycogen synthesis in liver and diaphragm, and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and intestinal glucose transport. This survey of findings suggest that vanadium can directly influence glucose metabolism and may play a role in its regulation in vivo.