Insulin-mimetic Agent Research Articles

Mechanisms of vanadium action: insulin-mimetic or insulin-enhancing agent?

The demonstration that the trace element vanadium has insulin-like properties in isolated cells and tissues and in vivo has generated considerable enthusiasm for its potential therapeutic value in human diabetes. However, the mechanisms by which vanadium induces its metabolic effects in vivo remain poorly understood, and whether vanadium directly mimics or rather enhances insulin effects is considered in this review. It is clear that vanadium treatment results in the correction of several diabetes-related abnormalities in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and in gene expression. However, many of these in vivo insulin-like effects can be ascribed to the reversal of defects that are secondary to hyperglycemia. The observations that the glucose-lowering effect of vanadium depends on the presence of endogenous insulin whereas metabolic homeostasis in control animals appears not to be affected, suggest that vanadium does not act completely independently in vivo, but augments tissue sensitivity to low levels of plasma insulin. Another crucial consideration is one of dose-dependency in that insulin-like effects of vanadium in isolated cells are often demonstrated at high concentrations that are not normally achieved by chronic treatment in vivo and may induce toxic side effects. In addition, vanadium appears to be selective for specific actions of insulin in some tissues while failing to influence others. As the intracellular active forms of vanadium are not precisely defined, the site(s) of action of vanadium in metabolic and signal transduction pathways is still unknown. In this review, we therefore examine the evidence for and against the concept that vanadium is truly an insulin-mimetic agent at low concentrations in vivo. In considering the effects of vanadium on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, we conclude that vanadium acts not globally, but selectively and by enhancing, rather than by mimicking the effects of insulin in vivo.

Effect of vanadate and insulin on glucose transport in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes.

It is now widely accepted that insulin stimulation of glucose uptake by muscle cells is due to the activation of protein kinase B, leading to the recruitment of glucose transporter proteins from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane. Vanadate is a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor and a known insulin mimetic agent. Vanadate causes an increase of glucose transport in various tissues, but the mechanism of stimulation is not clearly understood. Hence in the present study, we have compared the mechanism of 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport induced by vanadate and insulin in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. Vanadate stimulated deoxyglucose transport in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Insulin (100 nM) and vanadate (5 mM) stimulated 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport on an average by 3- and 2-fold respectively over basal values. The stimulation of glucose transport was accompanied by an activation of protein kinase B (PKB). This study also revealed that the activation of PKB and stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake by vanadate and insulin are inhibited by treatment with wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phoshatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). Hence, we conclude that both insulin and vanadate follow the same signalling pathway downstream of PI 3-kinase to stimulate 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport.

Mechanisms of vanadium action: insulin-mimetic or insulin-enhancing agent?

The demonstration that the trace element vanadium has insulin-like properties in isolated cells and tissues and in vivo has generated considerable enthusiasm for its potential therapeutic value in human diabetes. However, the mechanisms by which vanadium induces its metabolic effects in vivo remain poorly understood, and whether vanadium directly mimics or rather enhances insulin effects is considered in this review. It is clear that vanadium treatment results in the correction of several diabetes-related abnormalities in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and in gene expression. However, many of these in vivo insulin-like effects can be ascribed to the reversal of defects that are secondary to hyperglycemia. The observations that the glucose-lowering effect of vanadium depends on the presence of endogenous insulin whereas metabolic homeostasis in control animals appears not to be affected, suggest that vanadium does not act completely independently in vivo, but augments tissue sensitivity to low levels of plasma insulin. Another crucial consideration is one of dose-dependency in that insulin-like effects of vanadium in isolated cells are often demonstrated at high concentrations that are not normally achieved by chronic treatment in vivo and may induce toxic side effects. In addition, vanadium appears to be selective for specific actions of insulin in some tissues while failing to influence others. As the intracellular active forms of vanadium are not precisely defined, the site(s) of action of vanadium in metabolic and signal transduction pathways is still unknown. In this review, we therefore examine the evidence for and against the concept that vanadium is truly an insulin-mimetic agent at low concentrations in vivo. In considering the effects of vanadium on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, we conclude that vanadium acts not globally, but selectively and by enhancing, rather than by mimicking the effects of insulin in vivo.

In vivo coordination structural changes of a potent insulin-mimetic agent, bis(picolinato)oxovanadium(IV), studied by electron spin-echo envelope modulation spectroscopy

Bis(picolinato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(pic) 2] is one of the most potent insulin-mimetic vanadium complexes. To probe coordination structural changes of this complex in vivo and provide insights into the origin of its high potency, an electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) study was performed on organs (kidney, liver and bone) of VO(pic) 2- and VOSO 4-treated rats. Kidney and liver samples from both types of rats exhibited a 14N ESEEM signal that could be attributed to equatorially coordinating amine nitrogen. The relative intensity of the amine signal was larger for the organs of the rat treated with the less potent VOSO 4, suggesting that this amine coordination inhibits the insulin-mimetic activity. The spectra of kidney and liver from the VO(pic) 2-treated rat contained a weak signal due to the picolinate imine nitrogen. This suggests that some picolinato species (including both the bispicolinato and a partially decomposed monopicolinato species) still exist in the organs as a minor species, where the proportions of the picolinato species to the total amount of the EPR-detectable V IVO species are estimated as 8–16% in the kidney and 12–24% in the liver. The picolinate ligand presumably serves to prevent VO 2+ from being converted into the inactive amine-coordinated species. Bone samples from both types of rats exhibited an ESEEM signal due to 31P nuclei. The VO 2+ in bone is therefore most likely incorporated into the hydroxyapatite Ca 10(PO 4) 6(OH) 2 matrix, which is consistent with the hypothesis that the bone-accumulated VO 2+ is gradually released and transported to other organs as is Ca 2+. No 14N signals were observed, even in the bone samples of the VO(pic) 2-treated rats, indicating that vanadium uptake by bone requires complete decomposition of the complex.

Vanadium Complexes as Insulin Mimetic Agents: Coordination Chemistry and in Vivo Studies of Oxovanadium(IV) and Dioxovanadate(V) Complexes Formed from Naturally Occurring Chelating Oxazolinate, Thiazolinate, or Picolinate Units

The synthesis and characterization of four complexes containing naturally occurring binding groups are reported: VO(pic)2·H2O (Hpic = picolinic or pyridine-2-carboxylic acid), NH4[VO2(pic)2]·2H2O, VO(oz)2 (Hoz = 2-(2‘-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline), and VO(thoz)2 (Hthoz = 2-(2‘-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazoline). The X-ray structures of NH4[VO2(pic)2]·2H2O, VO(oz)2, and VO(thoz)2 have been determined. Crystals of NH4[VO2(pic)2]·2H2O (C12H12N3O6V·2H2O) are monoclinic, space group Cc, a = 10.347(2) A, b = 26.318(2) A, c = 7.247(1) A, β = 128.37(1)°, V = 1547.3(5) A3, Z = 4; those of VO(oz)2 (C18H16N2O5V) are triclinic, P1, a = 10.408(1) A, b = 11.282(1) A, c = 7.666(1) A, α = 103.78(1)°, β = 109.64(1)°, γ = 84.75(1)°, V = 823.3(2) A3, Z = 2; and those of VO(thoz)2 (C18H16N2O3S2V) are orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 12.331(2) A, b = 26.090(2) A, c = 11.125(2) A, V = 3579.3(9) A3, Z = 4. The structures of NH4[VO2(pic)2]·2H2O and VO(oz)2 were solved by direct methods and that of VO(thoz)2 by the Patterson method. The structu...

Recent developments and emerging therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Most patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus require pharmacotherapy, initially as monotherapy and subsequently in combination, as adjuncts to diet and exercise. Exogenous insulin is ultimately required in a substantial proportion, reflecting the progressive natural history of the disease. Sulphonylureas and biguanides have been employed for over 4 decades as oral antidiabetic agents, but they have a limited capacity to provide long term glycaemic control and can cause serious adverse effects. Thus, more efficacious and tolerable antidiabetic agents are required. Recent years have witnessed the introduction of agents with novel modes of action, that is, the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors acarbose and miglitol (which reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia) and the first of the thiazolidinedione insulinsensitising drugs--troglitazone and rosiglitazone. Although the former has been withdrawn in some countries due to adverse effects, another 'glitazone' pioglitazone is expected to be approved in the near future. Other recently introduced drugs include glimepiride and the meglitinide insulin secretagogue, repaglinide. Attention is also focusing increasingly on combination therapy using insulin together with sulphonylureas, metformin or troglitazone. Rapid-acting insulin analogues are now being used as alternatives to conventional insulins; their role in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus is presently uncertain but reports of a reduced frequency of hypoglycaemia are encouraging. The development of new drugs aims to counter the principal metabolic defects of the disorder, respectively, relative insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. Novel classes of rapid-acting secretagogues under evaluation include the morphilinoguanide BTS 67582 and the meglitinides mitiglinide (KAD 1229) and senaglinide (A-4166). Succinate ester derivatives represent a potential novel approach to improving beta-cell function through enhancement of insulin biosynthesis and secretion. Enhancement of nutrient-induced insulin secretion is a mechanism with several putative targets within the beta-cell; potentiators of insulin secretion include glucagon-like peptide-1 and its analogues, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and the imidazoline derivative PMS 812 (S 21663). The amylin agonist pramlintide slows gastric emptying and suppression of glucagon secretion. Non-thiazolidinedione insulin-sensitising agents include the gamma-receptor agonist G 1262570X (GG 570) and D-chiro-inositol. Insulin analogues with prolonged action and inhaled insulin preparations are also under investigation. Insulin-mimetic agents include organic vanadium compounds. Whether newer agents will offer clinically relevant efficacy and tolerability advantages over existing therapies remains to be determined.

Insulin receptor-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase(s): role in insulin action.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play a critical role in regulating insulin action in part through dephosphorylation of the active (autophosphorylated) form of the insulin receptor (IRK) and attenuation of its tyrosine kinase activity. Following insulin binding the activated IRK is rapidly internalized into the endosomal apparatus, a major site at which the IRK is dephosphorylated in vivo. Studies in rat liver suggest a complex regulatory process whereby PTPs may act, via selective IRK tyrosine dephosphorylation, to modulate IRK activity in both a positive and negative manner. Use of peroxovanadium (pV) compounds, shown to be powerful PTP inhibitors, has been critical in delineating a close relationship between the IRK and its associated PTP(s) in vivo. Indeed the in vivo administration of pV compounds effected activation of IRK in parallel with an inhibition of IRK-associated PTP activity. This process was accompanied by a lowering of blood glucose levels in both normal and diabetic rats thus implicating the IRK-associated PTP(s) as a suitable target for defining a novel class of insulin mimetic agents. Identification of the physiologically relevant IRK-associated PTP(s) should facilitate the development of drugs suitable for managing diabetes mellitus.

Covalent Glycoinositolphospholipid Binding to Hemoglobin: A New Post-translational Modification of Hb Occurring in Hyperinsulinism with Concomitant Hypoglycemia

In this work a novel hitherto unrecognised minor hemoglobin (Hb) fraction, which we detected previously in hemolysates of erythrocytes exposed to a high concentration of insulin under hypoglycemic conditions, bothin vivoandin vitro,is analysed. The modification of Hb in HbA1x was shown to be due the addition of glycoinositolphospholipid (GPI) to the C termini of both β polypeptide chains. A structurally related minor Hb fraction was identified in erythrocytes exposedin vitroto insulin-mimetic agent, trypsin. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of such a modification of Hb, as well as the first demonstration of post-translational GPI binding to proteins in response to insulin. The mechanism proposed for GPI-Hb formation is briefly described.

Selenium: potent stimulator of tyrosyl phosphorylation and activator of MAP kinase

Selenium, an essential biological trace element, is an integral component of several enzymes, and its use as a nutritional supplement has been popularized recently due to its potential role in low concentrations as an antioxidant and in higher concentrations as an anticancer agent. Selenium has also been reported to act as an insulin-mimetic agent with regard to normalization of blood glucose levels and regulation of some insulin-mediated metabolic processes. Little work, however, has been done concerning the pathway(s) by which this insulin-mimetic action occurs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which selenate exhibits insulin-mimetic properties in two different insulin responsive cell types, primary rat hepatocytes and 3T3 L1 adipocytes. We found that two proteins associated with the insulin signal cascade, the β-subunit of the insulin receptor and IRS-1, increased in tyrosyl phosphorylation in the presence of selenium. The third identified selenium activated signal protein, MAP kinase, has been implicated not only in the insulin signal transduction pathway but also in other growth factor-mediated responses. Using an in-gel activity assay for MAP kinase, we demonstrated that both the p42 and p44 MAP kinases are activated when either hepatocytes or adipocytes are incubated in the presence of selenate. In addition to the activation of these specific proteins, we found that selenium also eventually profoundly affected overall tyrosyl phosphorylation. Our results therefore show that selenium not only increased the phosphorylation of proteins identified in the insulin signal cascade but also affected the overall phosphorylation state of the cell.

Insulin-mimetic agents vanadate and pervanadate stimulate glucose but inhibit amino acid uptake.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors vanadate and pervanadate (pV) exert insulin-like biologic effects. In cultured differentiated rat L6 skeletal muscle cells, vanadate and pV stimulated 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. There was no increase in maximum stimulation by additional insulin. In contrast, whereas insulin stimulated [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB) uptake, basal uptake was inhibited by vanadate and pV. Insulin-stimulated MeAIB uptake was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner and completely abolished by 5 mM vanadate or 0.1 mM pV. The inhibitory effect on basal MeAIB uptake was associated with a decrease in transporter affinity and a small decrease in maximum transport capacity, whereas the insulin-stimulated increase in maximum transport capacity was completely inhibited. Inhibition of MeAIB uptake by vanadate and pV was not blocked by cycloheximide, and oubain did not inhibit uptake. Vanadate also inhibited amino acid deprivation-stimulated MeAIB uptake. Insulin-stimulated MeAIB uptake was also inhibited in rat hepatoma cells. Thus vanadate and pV mimic insulin to stimulate glucose uptake but inhibit system A amino acid uptake. The relative inhibitory concentrations of vanadate and pV suggest that the mechanism may involve PTP inhibition.

Effects of vanadate and insulin on the activities of selected enzymes of amino acid metabolism in alloxan diabetic rat kidney.

The effects of insulin and the insulin mimetic agent "vanadate" were studied on the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and arginase in the cytosolic and the mitochondrial fractions of the kidney in control and alloxan induced diabetic rats. An enhancement in the activities of these enzymes were noted in both the fractions of diabetic kidney. Vanadate treatment (0.6 mg/ml in drinking water) of alloxan induced diabetic rats restored the activities of these enzymes almost completely in the cytosolic and partially in the mitochondrial fractions. Vanadate treatment also normalized hyperglycaemia without altering the depressed levels of insulin secretion in diabetic rats. The effect of insulin treatment was found to be the same as that of vanadate in diabetic rats.

The insulin-mimetic agent vanadate promotes receptor endocytosis and inhibits intracellular ligand-receptor degradation by a mechanism distinct from the lysosomotropic agents.

Vanadate (sodium orthovanadate) is an insulin-mimetic agent and phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor that has been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes. We previously reported that vanadate decreased the number of cell-surface insulin receptors but inhibited receptor degradation in cultured lymphocytes (IM-9) (1). To determine whether vanadate affected receptors without intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, its effects on LDL and transferrin receptors and their ligands were examined. Vanadate exposure resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in LDL binding to cultured human fibroblasts associated with a decrease in cell surface receptor number while total solubilized cell LDL receptors increased. Vanadate also inhibited the LDL-mediated downregulation of total cellular LDL receptors in the absence and presence of cycloheximide consistent with an inhibition of LDL receptor degradation. In the case of the ligand, vanadate augmented the accumulation of intact 125I-LDL associated with an inhibition of up to 80% of the ability of LDL to decrease cholesterol synthesis. Since these actions were similar to the effects of lysosomotropic agents, we examined the effect of vanadate on intraendosomal pH using the fluorescent probe acridine orange. In contrast with chloroquine and NH4Cl, vanadate did not neutralize the pH of the acidic intracellular compartment. Furthermore, after a transient insulin-like effect, chronic exposure to vanadate diminished 125I-diferric transferrin binding to rat adipocytes. In contrast with the inhibitory action of NH4Cl, intracellular 59Fe uptake remained unaffected and was proportional to cell-surface binding capacity in the presence of vanadate. These data demonstrate a chronic effect of vanadate to promote the accumulation of intracellular receptors and to inhibit ligand and receptor degradation. The latter effect is not mediated by pH changes, appears to be localized to a late endosomal/lysosomal compartment, and suggests a possible role for tyrosine dephosphorylation in the regulation of receptor-ligand degradation.

The insulin-mimetic agent vanadate promotes receptor endocytosis and inhibits intracellular ligand-receptor degradation by a mechanism distinct from the lysosomotropic agents

The insulin-mimetic agent vanadate promotes receptor endocytosis and inhibits intracellular ligand-receptor degradation by a mechanism distinct from the lysosomotropic agents

Characterization of the Potent Insulin Mimetic Agent Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) in Solution by EPR Spectroscopy.

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (abbreviated BMOV or VO(ma)(2)) has been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in CH(2)Cl(2), H(2)O, MeOH, and pyridine at both room and low temperatures. Spin Hamiltonian parameters for mono- and bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(ma)](+) (=[VO(ma)(H(2)O)(n)()](+), n = 2 or 3) and VO(ma)(2) (Hma = 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone, maltol) have been obtained by computer simulation (SOPHE). Configurations of solvated vanadyl/maltol complexes, VO(ma)(2)S, in solution (S = solvent) are proposed on the basis of a comparison of their hyperfine coupling constants with those obtained for related vanadium(IV) compounds in the literature. Whereas at room temperature pyridine coordinates to VO(ma)(2) in a position cis to the oxo ligand (cis isomer), in H(2)O or in MeOH solvated and unsolvated cis and trans adducts of VO(ma)(2) are all formed, with the cis isomer dominant. As expected, the coordinating ability was found to be in the order py > H(2)O approximately MeOH > CH(2)Cl(2). In aqueous solutions at room temperature and neutral pH, cis- and trans-VO(ma)(2)(H(2)O) complexes are present as major and minor components, respectively.

Oxidation Kinetics of the Potent Insulin Mimetic Agent Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) in Water and in Methanol.

The kinetics of oxidation of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV), BMOV or VO(ma)(2), by dioxygen have been studied by UV-vis spectroscopy in both MeOH and H(2)O media. The VO(ma)(2):O(2) stoichiometry was 4:1. In aqueous solution, the pH-dependent rate of the VO(ma)(2)/O(2) reaction to generate cis-[VO(2)(ma)(2)](-) is attributed to the deprotonation of coordinated H(2)O, the deprotonated species [VO(ma)(2)(OH)](-) being more easily oxidized (k(OH) = 0.39 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), 25 degrees C) than the neutral form VO(ma)(2)(H(2)O) (k(H)()2(O) = 0.08 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), 25 degrees C). The activation parameters for the two second-order reactions in aqueous solution were deduced from variable temperature kinetic measurements. In MeOH, VO(ma)(2) was oxidized by dioxygen to cis-VO(OMe)(ma)(2), whose structure was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; the crystals were monoclinic, C2/c, with a = 28.103(1) Å, b = 7.721(2) Å, c = 13.443(2) Å, beta = 94.290(7) degrees, and Z = 8. The structure was solved by Patterson methods and was refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures to R = 0.043 for 1855 reflections with I >/= 3sigma(I). The kinetic results are consistent with a mechanism involving an attack of O(2) at the V(IV) center, followed by the formation of radicals and H(2)O(2) as transient intermediates.

Lineage-specific Induction of B Cell Apoptosis and Altered Signal Transduction by the Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV)

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is known to play key roles in lymphocyte signal transduction, and phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTP) can act as both positive and negative regulators of these lymphocyte signals. We sought to examine the role of PTP further in these processes by characterizing the effects of bis(maltolato)-oxovanadium(IV) (BMLOV), previously known to be a nontoxic insulin mimetic agent in vivo. BMLOV was found to be a potent phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. BMLOV induced cellular tyrosine phosphorylation in B cells in a pattern similar to that observed following antigen receptor stimulation, whereas little tyrosine phosphorylation was induced in T cells. In B cells, BMLOV treatment resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and phospholipase C gamma 2, while sIgM-induced signals were inhibited. By contrast, T cell receptor signals were moderately increased by BMLOV, and the cells displayed greater induction of IL-2 receptor without toxicity. The compound selectively induced apoptosis in B cell lymphoma and myeloid leukemia cell lines, but not in T cell leukemia or colon carcinoma cells. Interleukin-4 plus anti-CD40 antibody treatment of normal human peripheral B cells rescued the cells from BMLOV-induced death. These results suggest that phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitors can activate B cell signal pathways in a lineage-specific manner, resulting in desensitization of receptor-mediated signaling and induction of apoptosis.

Vanadium chemistry and biochemistry of relevance for use of vanadium compounds as antidiabetic agents.

The stability of 11 vanadium compounds is tested under physiological conditions and in administration fluids. Several compounds including those currently used as insulin-mimetic agents in animal and human studies are stable upon dissolution in distilled water but lack such stability in distilled water at pH 7. Complex lability may result in decomposition at neutral pH and thus may compromise the effectiveness of these compounds as therapeutic agents; Even well characterized vanadium compounds are surprisingly labile. Sufficiently stable complexes such as the VEDTA complex will only slowly reduce, however, none of the vanadium compounds currently used as insulin-mimetic agents show the high stability of the VEDTA complex. Both the bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) and peroxovanadium complexes extend the insulin-mimetic action of vanadate in reducing cellular environments probably by increased lifetimes under physiological conditions and/or by decomposing to other insulin mimetic compounds. For example, treatment with two equivalents of glutathione or other thiols the (dipicolinato)peroxovanadate(V) forms (dipicolinato)oxovanadate(V) and vanadate, which are both insulin-mimetic vanadium(V) compounds and can continue to act. The reactivity of vanadate under physiological conditions effects a multitude of biological responses. Other vanadium complexes may mimic insulin but not induce similar responses if the vanadate formation is blocked or reduced. We conclude that three properties, stability, lability and redox chemistry are critical to prolong the half-life of the insulin-mimetic form of vanadium compounds under physiological conditions and should all be considered in development of vanadium-based oral insulin-mimetic agents.

Regulation of glucose transport and expression of GLUT3 transporters in human circulating mononuclear cells: Studies in cells from insulin-dependent diabetic and nondiabetic individuals

We have previously shown that human circulating mononuclear cells (CMCs) respond to physiological concentrations of insulin with a rapid increase in glucose transport rate. The responding cells were found to be the monocytes, and cells derived from individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) had lower basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport rates. Of interest, both cell types were found to express the GLUT1 but not the typical insulin-responsive GLUT4 transporter isoform. To further study the mechanisms responsible for stimulation of transport in these cells, we investigated (1) the response to insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-mimetic agents, and (2) the expression of other glucose transporter isoforms in CMCs of nondiabetic and IDDM individuals. The time course of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in CMCs was rapid, reaching a plateau within 30 minutes. CMCs showed a dose-dependent and highly sensitive increase in glucose uptake to IGF-I (maximal response reached at 0.1 to 0.5 nmol/L IGF-I). The IGF-I dose-response curve was similar for CMCs of control and IDDM individuals, but both the basal and maximal response to IGF-I were lower in the diabetic group ( P < .01). CMCs did not respond to vanadate, lithium, hydrogen peroxide, or short incubation (1 hour) with metformin, but glucose uptake increased in response to peroxides of vanadate and longer-duration (14 hours) metformin incubations. The glucose transporter isoforms of separated monocytes and lymphocytes were further investigated by Northern blotting of total RNA with a GLUT3-specific cDNA probe and by Western blotting of total membranes using GLUT3-specific antiserum. Both cell types expressed substantial amounts of GLUT3 mRNA and protein, with significantly more GLUT3 protein in monocytes than in lymphocytes. The results indicate that (1) insulin-mimetic agents active in adipocytes are not uniformly effective in CMCs, (2) CMCs from IDDM individuals show suboptimal maximal response to IGF-I, and (3) insulin-mediated glucose transport in these cells may occur via GLUT1 and/or GLUT3 transporters, but neither isoform is reduced in monocytes or lymphocytes of individuals with IDDM.

Activation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases by vanadate is independent of insulin receptor autophosphorylation

Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells over-expressing the human insulin receptor (CHO-HIRc) with the insulin mimetic agent, vanadate, resulted in a dose- and time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins with apparent molecular sizes of 42 kDa (p42) and 44 kDa (p44). However, vanadate was unable to stimulate the tyrosyi phosphorylation of theβ-subunit of the insulin receptor. By using myelin basic protein (MBP) as the substrate to measure mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity in whole cell lysates, vanadate-stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of p42 and p44 was associated with a dose- and time-dependent activation of MAP kinase activity. Furthermore, affinity purification of cell lysates on anti-phosphotyrosine agarose column followed by immunoblotting with a specific antibody to MAP kinases demonstrated that vanadate treatment increased the tyrosyl phosphorylation of both p44 mapk and p42 mapk by several folds, as compared to controls, in concert with MAP kinase activation. In addition, retardation in gel mobility further confirmed that vanadate treatment increased the phosphorylation of p44 mapk and p42 mapk in CHO-HIRc. A similar effect of vanadate on MAP kinase tyrosyl phosphorylation and activation was also observed in CHO cells over-expressing a protein tyrosine kinase-deficient insulin receptor (CHO-1018). These results demonstrate that the protein tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor may not be required in the signaling pathways leading to the vanadate-mediated tyrosyl phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinases.

Vanadium compounds as insulin mimetic agents in the treatment of diabetes

Vanadium compounds as insulin mimetic agents in the treatment of diabetes