Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Measurement of Intracellular ROS Levels in Hepatocellular Lines
05:16

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Measurement of Intracellular ROS Levels in Hepatocellular Lines

Published on: January 19, 2024

7.2K

Oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells through IR/Akt pathway and hydroxyl radicals

Qian Zhao1, Deliang Chen1, Pingsheng Liu2

  • 1Laboratory of Environment and Health, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A YuQuan Road, Beijing 100049, China.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
|May 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate (VOSO4) enhances glucose uptake by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically hydroxyl radicals. This mechanism involves the insulin receptor (IR)/Akt signaling pathway, offering insights into vanadium

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Vanadium compounds exhibit insulin-mimetic and anti-diabetic properties.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms linking vanadium to insulin signaling in diabetes remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate (VOSO4) on glucose uptake and insulin signaling.
  • To elucidate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VOSO4-induced effects.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
  • Assessed glucose uptake, insulin receptor (IR) and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, and intracellular ROS generation.
  • Employed Western blot analysis and specific radical scavengers (catalase, sodium formate, superoxide dismutase).

Main Results:

  • VOSO4 treatment (5-50 μM) increased glucose uptake, IR/Akt phosphorylation, and ROS generation.
  • Catalase and sodium formate inhibited hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation and VOSO4-induced IR/Akt phosphorylation.
  • Superoxide dismutase did not affect these VOSO4-induced changes.

Conclusions:

  • VOSO4-induced hydroxyl radicals act as signaling molecules.
  • ·OH radicals promote glucose uptake through the IR/Akt signaling pathway.
  • These findings contribute to understanding vanadium's anti-diabetic mechanisms.
Keywords:
Glucose uptakeHepG2 cellsIR/AktOxidovanadium(IV) sulfateROS

More Related Videos

Imaging Approaches to Assessments of Toxicological Oxidative Stress Using Genetically-encoded Fluorogenic Sensors09:33

Imaging Approaches to Assessments of Toxicological Oxidative Stress Using Genetically-encoded Fluorogenic Sensors

Published on: February 7, 2018

8.0K
Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals05:59

Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals

Published on: May 19, 2023

3.7K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions01:17

Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions

A phase I reaction is a biochemical process that introduces a functionally reactive polar group to a substance. This transformation predominantly occurs in the liver, facilitated by the cytochrome P450 system of hemoproteins situated in the lipophilic endoplasmic reticulum of cells. The metabolite generated through this process can have varying polarities. If it is sufficiently polar, it can be easily excreted in the urine due to its water compatibility. However, if the metabolite is nonpolar,...
5.8K
Peroxisomes01:24

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...
22.2K
Phase II Reactions: Glucuronidation01:24

Phase II Reactions: Glucuronidation

Glucuronidation, a pivotal phase II biotransformation process, involves the coupling of glucuronic acid to a drug or xenobiotic. Given its widespread occurrence and critical role in drug metabolism, it's considered the most crucial phase II reaction. It enhances the water solubility of substances, aiding their expulsion from the body. The driving force behind these reactions is a group of enzymes known as UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). UGTs facilitate the transfer of a glucuronic acid...
2.2K
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
5.4K
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
8.9K
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols01:21

Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols

Activated manganese(IV) oxide can selectively oxidize allylic and benzylic alcohols via a radical intermediate mechanism. Primary allylic alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes, while secondary allylic alcohols yield ketones. The redox reaction of potassium permanganate with an Mn(II) salt such as manganese sulfate (under either alkaline or acidic conditions), followed by thorough drying, yields the oxidizing agent: activated MnO2. While MnO2 is insoluble in the solvents used for the reaction, the...
3.2K