Polyoxidovanadates a new therapeutic alternative for neurodegenerative and aging diseases

Abstract

Aging is a natural phenomenon characterized by a progressive decline in physiological integrity, leading to a deterioration of cognitive function and increasing the risk of suffering from chronic-degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Aging is considered the major risk factor for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease develops. Likewise, diabetes and insulin resistance constitute additional risk factors for developing neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, no treatment can effectively reverse these neurodegenerative pathologies. However, some antidiabetic drugs have opened the possibility of being used against neurodegenerative processes. In the previous framework, Vanadium species have demonstrated a notable antidiabetic effect. Our research group evaluated polyoxidovanadates such as decavanadate and metforminium-decavanadate with preventive and corrective activity on neurodegeneration in brain-specific areas from rats with metabolic syndrome. The results suggest that these polyoxidovanadates induce neuronal and cognitive restoration mechanisms. This review aims to describe the therapeutic potential of polyoxidovanadates as insulin-enhancer agents in the brain, constituting a therapeutic alternative for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Vanadium species; antidiabetic; brain; cognition; diabetes; insulin; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Vanadium, a therapeutic alternative for neurodegenerative diseases and aging. The schematic figure shows aging as a critical factor for the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes and AD, as well as the relationship between them. Likewise, it is observed how brain aging affects the cognitive function and the quality of life of the elderly. Finally, Vanadium is placed as a potential therapeutic alternative to mitigate the negative effects of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Created with BioRender.com. AD: Alzheimer’s disease; Hp: hippocampus; MetfDeca: metformin decavanadate; PFC: prefrontal cortex.

Figure 2

Relationship between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Conditions such as obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and MS in individuals with T2D are considered risk factors for the development of AD. During the characteristic neurodegeneration of AD, there is an alteration in the central transduction of insulin, probably due to changes in the expression and/or function of the IRS. This promotes alterations in mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, increased Aβ production, and insulin resistance in the brain. This general condition decreases cognitive function and quality of life in older adults. Created with BioRender.com. AD: Alzheimer’s disease; Aβ: amyloid-beta; IL: interleukin; IRS: insulin receptor; IRS-1: insulin receptor type 1; MS: metabolic syndrome; ROS: reactive oxygen species; T2D: type 2 diabetes; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Figure 3

Timeline of the first in vitro and in vivo studies described for Vanadium species in various pathologies, including AD. Created with BioRender.com. AD: Alzheimer’s disease; Aβ: amyloid-beta; BEOV: bis(ethylmaltolate)oxidovanadium (IV); del Rio: Andrés Manuel del Río; MetfDeca: metformin decavanadate; MS: metabolic syndrome; POVs: polyoxidovanadates; VAC: Vanadyl (IV) acetylacetonate.