Targeting protein kinase B/Akt signaling with vanadium compounds for cardioprotection

Background: Akt is an important signaling molecule that modulates many cellular processes such as cell growth, survival and metabolism. Akt activation has been proposed as a potential strategy for increasing cardiomyocyte survival following ischemia. Objectives: Vanadium compounds activate Akt signaling through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases, thereby eliciting cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury along with cardiac functional recovery. Like other vanadium compounds, we documented bis(1-oxy-2-pyridinethiolato) oxovanadium (IV) as a potent cytoprotective agent on myocardial infarction and elicited cardiac functional recovery through activation of Akt signaling pathway. Resultslconclusion: The ability of vanadium compounds to activate Akt signaling pathways are responsible for their ability to modulate cardiovascular functions and is probably beneficial as a cardioprotective drug in subjects undergoing reperfusion therapy following myocardial infarction.