TOXICOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF VANADYL SULFATE ON DIABETIC RATS - EFFECTS ON VANADIUM LEVELS AND PANCREATIC B-CELL MORPHOLOGY

This study explored some toxicological aspects of vanadyl sulphate (VOSO4) treatment of rats made diabetic with a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Administered in drinking water (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 or 1 mg of VOSO4, 5H2O ml) VOSO4 treatment partially or totally corrected some of the alterations associated with the diabetic state (hyperglycaemia, polydipsia, polyphagia, high cholesterol and triglycerides levels) and did not produce any changes in various plasma or blood cell paramenters which were not previously altered by diabetes. Measurement of vanadium levels indicated that tissues accumulated vanadium in the following order of concentrations: bone > kidney > spleen > liver > lung > heart ≥ muscle > blood. Histopathological studies did not reveal any difference in liver, stomach, ileum, spleen, heart and lung from control, non‐treated diabetic or VOSO4‐treated diabetic animals. Kidneys of all non‐treated diabetic animals showed an epithelial cellular swelling of distal tubules while only 2 of 6 VOSO4‐treated diabetic animals showed this alteration. Cellular degeneration of pancreas B‐cells was less marked in VOSO4‐treated that in non‐treated diabetic animals. The study indicates that VOSO4 may be a potential antidiabetic agent. 1990 Nordic Pharmacological Society