[An experimental study of the effect of vanadium on enzyme indices in chronic oral exposure]

Changes in selected enzyme parameters were followed in a one year-long toxicologic experiment on albino rat males given vanadium by mouth at either of two dosages: 0.005 mg/kg b.w., which is the equivalent of the regulated level for 1st category drinking water, or 0.01 mg/kg, i.e., twice the safety standard. The endpoints measured included: free sulfhydryl groups in blood serum, heart, and liver; cholinesterase and creatine kinase activities in blood serum; catalase activity in blood; and cytochrome oxidase activity in liver and heart. Chronic oral exposures to vanadium 0.01 mg/kg and, to a lesser extent, 0.005 mg/kg were observed to produce disturbances in redox processes and tissue respiration. The evidence from this study should be taken into consideration when regulating vanadium levels in drinking water from a hygiene standpoint.