A Non-Toxic Binuclear Vanadium(IV) Complex as Insulin Adjuvant Improves the Glycemic Control in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) complications are a burden to health care systems due to the associated consequences of poor glycemic control and the side effects of insulin therapy. Recently. adjuvant therapies, such as vanadium compounds, have gained attention due to their potential to improve glucose homeostasis in patients with diabetes. In order to determine the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of the oxidovanadium(IV) complex (Et3NH)2[{VO(OH}2)(ox)2(µ–ox)] or Vox2), rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were treated with 30 and 100 mg/kg of Vox2, orally administered for 12 days. Vox2 at 100 mg/kg in association with insulin caused a 3.4 times decrease in blood glucose in STZ rats (424 mg/dL), reaching concentrations similar to those in the normoglycemic animals (126 mg/dL). Compared to insulin alone, the association with Vox2 caused an additional decrease in blood glucose of 39% and 65% at 30 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and an increased pancreatic GSH levels 2.5 times. Vox2 alone did not cause gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, and hepatic or renal toxicity and was not associated with changes in blood glucose level, lipid profile, or kidney or liver function. Our results highlight the potential of Vox2 in association with insulin in treating diabetes.