Ligational behavior of two biologically active N-S donors toward oxovanadium(IV) ion and potentiation of their antibacterial activities by chelation to metal ions. Part III

Chelating behavior of two biologically active ligands, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (PT) and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-(4-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone (PPT), toward oxovanadium(IV) ion has been studied. The ligands are found to react in the thioketo form (pH 2-4), yielding the complexes [VO(PT)X2](X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-), [VO(PT)(SO4)H2O], [VO(PPT)2X]X (X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-) and [VO(PPT)2SO4]. Reactions of [VO(PT)(SO4)H2O] and [VO(PPT)2X]X (X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-) with a monodenate Lewis base (B) like pyridine lead to the formation of [VO(PT)(SO4)Py]H2O and [VO(PPT)2py]X2 respectively. Bonding sites of the donor molecules around the oxometal cation have been located. Nature of the EPR spectra and magnetic moment values point to the monomeric character of the complexes and suggest a distorted octahedral donor environment for the oxovanadium(IV) ion. Status of the metal-oxygen multiple bond in all the complexes has been computed in terms of the V-O(1) stretching force constant. The ligands themselves and most of their oxovanadium(IV) complexes are found to exert powerful in vitro antibacterial activities towards E. coli.     

Bactericidal activity of different oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Schiff bases and application of chelation theory

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been synthesized and characterized the general composition [VOL(A)], where H₂L = salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol A¹ = bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine, A² = bis(acetophenone)ethylenediamine, A³ = 2,2′-bipyridylamine, A⁴ = bis(benzylidene) ? 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, A⁵ = thiophene-o-carboxaldeneaniline and A⁶ = thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-anisidine. Spectral studies indicate that the oxovanadium(IV) complexes assume a six-coordinate octahedral geometry. The antibacterial activities of the complexes against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia mercescens are higher as compared to the free ligands, vanadyl sulphate, and the control (DMSO) but of moderate activity as compared to the standard drug (tetracycline).     

Bactericidal activity of different oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Schiff bases and application of chelation theory

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been synthesized and characterized the general composition [VOL(A)], where H2L = salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol A1 = bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine, A2 = bis(acetophenone)ethylenediamine, A3 = 2,2'-bipyridylamine, A4 = bis(benzylidene) - 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, A5 = thiophene-o-carboxaldeneaniline and A6 = thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-anisidine. Spectral studies indicate that the oxovanadium(IV) complexes assume a six-coordinate octahedral geometry. The antibacterial activities of the complexes against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia mercescens are higher as compared to the free ligands, vanadyl sulphate, and the control (DMSO) but of moderate activity as compared to the standard drug (tetracycline).     

Synthesis, X-ray structure, and anti-leukemic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective anticancer agents, four oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2-Phen) as ligand(s) were synthesized and characterized. Among the four oxovanadium(IV) complexes synthesized, the crystal structure of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex bis(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)2], compound 1) has been determined. Compound 1 crystallized in the space group P2(1)/n with unit cell parameters a = 14.2125(17) A, b = 10.8628(13) A, c = 20.143(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 102.569(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3035.3(6) A3, and Z = 4. The refinement of compound 1 by full-matrix least-squares techniques gave an R factor of 0.0785 for 4356 independent reflections. The structure contains two enantiomorphous molecules, lambda and delta, which are related by an inversion center. Compound 1 exhibited 3.5-fold more potent cytotoxic activity against NALM-6 human leukemia cells than the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex (diaqua)(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)(H2O)2], compound 2) (IC50 values: 0.97+/-0.10 microM versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM: P=0.0004). Methyl substitution in the phenanthroline ligand enhanced the anti-leukemic activity of the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 4.4-fold (IC50 values: 0.78+/-0.10 microM, compound 4, versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM, compound 2; P=0.0003) and the anti-leukemic activity of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 5.7-fold (IC50 values: 0.17+/-0.02 microM, compound 3, versus 0.97+/-0.10 microM, compound 1; P=0.001). The leading oxovanadium compound, bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2], compound 3) triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human leukemia cells, caused G1-arrest and inhibited clonogenic growth at nanomolar concentrations.     

Synthesis, characterisation and insulin-mimetic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes with amidrazone derivatives

The complexation of VO(2+) ion by ten acetamidrazone and 2-phenylacetamidrazone derivatives (L) was studied. Sixteen novel VO(2+) complexes were synthesised and characterised through the combined application of analytical and spectroscopic (EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance), FT-IR and diffuse reflectance electronic absorption) techniques. Eight are 1:2 species of composition [VOL(2)]SO(4) x xH(2)O and eight are 1:1 species with formula [VOL(SO(4))](n) x xH(2)O. The experimental data suggest a bidentate coordination mode for L with the donor set formed by the imine nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen. EPR spectra indicate a square-pyramidal geometry for the 1:1 complexes and a penta-coordinated geometry intermediate between the square-pyramid and the trigonal-bipyramid for the 1:2 species. The hyperfine coupling constant along z axis, A(z), of the 1:2 complexes exhibits a marked reduction with respect to the predicted value (approximately 148x10(-4)cm(-1) vs. approximately 170x10(-4)cm(-1)). IR spectroscopic evidence supports the presence of sulphate as a counter-ion in the 1:2, and as a bridging bidentate ligand in the 1:1 complexes. Insulin-mimetic tests on modified fibroblasts, based on a modified MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide) assay, performed on three of the bis-chelated and eight of the mono-chelated derivatives, indicate that they are biologically active. The similar hydro/lipophilicity and the lack of ligand substituents recognizable by cell membrane receptors prevent substantial differentiation in the insulin-mimetic action.     

Synthesis, characterization, and biological activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes with polyalcohols

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of the polyalcohols sorbitol, galactitol, and mannitol, of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(L)(2)].H(2)O, were obtained from aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and UV-vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation, and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3E1 osteoblastic mouse calvaria-derived cells and UMR106 rat osteosarcoma-derived cells) in culture. The three complexes exerted a biphasic effect on cell proliferation, being slight stimulating agents at low concentrations and inhibitory in the range of 25-100 microM. All the complexes inhibited cell differentiation in tumor osteoblasts. Their effects on glucose consumption were also discussed. The free ligands did not show any effect on the studied biological parameters.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of oxovanadium (IV) complexes with cyclic polyalcohols

Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the cyclic polyols conduritol C (cond) and myo-inositol (inos) of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(cond)(2)].2H(2)O and Na(2)[VO(inos)(2)].H(2)O were obtained in aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Conduritol C and myo-inositol did not produce any effect on these parameters. Normal and tumoral cell proliferation was inhibited about (ca.40-60%) by the two oxovanadium (IV) complexes in concentrations as low as 100microM. The complexes were also inhibitory on cell differentiation (ca. 70-80%) while they stimulate glucose consumption. Comparisons of these effects with those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation, under the same experimental conditions, were also performed.     

Oxovanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(V) complexes relevant to biological systems

A novel method for the analysis of trace element chemical speciation at parts per billion (ppb) levels in wound fluid samples both contributes to the fundamental inorganic biochemistry of the healing process and permits improved treatments. Potentiometric Stripping Analysis in combination with acid digestion has been used to quantify the total copper and zinc levels in a series of 0.5 ml samples of fluid obtained from surgical wounds. Further, the degree of blood contamination has been investigated using visible spectroscopy. The prevailing chemical speciation (chemical forms) of these total concentrations of copper and zinc amongst low molecular mass ligands in wound fluid has been investigated by computer modelling using JESS, the Joint Expert Speciation System. The model, involving 38 components, generates in the region of 3500 individual low molecular mass complexes including copper, zinc, iron, calcium and manganese species, and predicts that the majority of low molecular mass (lmm) copper complexes are electrically net-neutral, whilst those of zinc are predominantly charged. Further studies indicate that supplementing the concentrations of histidine and tryptophan may increase the net-neutral zinc fraction, the optimum effect being achieved at pH=7.4. This may be important in transporting zinc into healing cells.     

The preparation and electrochemistry of cysteine-ester oxovanadium(IV) complexes

An improved synthesis of VO(CysOCH₃)₂, (CysOCH₃  the anion of cysteine methyl ester), is reported, as is an analogous preparation of VO(CysOCH₂CH₃)₂, (CysOCH₂CH₃  the anion of cysteine ethyl ester). These are the first two examples of isolated vanadium-cysteine compounds. The oxidation of VO(CysOCH₃)₂ in DMSO is a reversible one electron change at 0.24 V versus SCE followed by a rapid chemical reaction which produces a stable vanadium(V) species. This species is reduced back to the vanadium(IV) complex at −1.30 V. The electrochemistry of VO(Cys-OCH₂CH₃)₂ is nearly identical to that of the methyl ester compound.     

Ligational behavior of a novel biologically active donor toward Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions and potentiation of its antibacterial activity by chelation with metal ions

The chelating behavior of a new multidentate ligand with tuberculostatic activity toward Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions has been studied. This ligand 3-(2-carboxyhydrazine)phenylimino-2-oximobutane(H2C POB) is found to chelate the above metal ions in both its keto and enol forms. The probable structures of all the complexes and the location of the bonding sites have been established through magnetic and spectroscopic (infrared, electronic) studies. The Cu(II) complex of the enol form exhibits subnormal magnetic moment at room temperature, indicating the probable existence of some sort of super exchange phenomenon in the system. The ligand itself and a few of its Cu(II) complexes have been found to exert powerful in vitro antibacterial activity toward some tuberculosis mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium flae, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Mycobacterium H37Rv.     

Synthesis, structure, DNA binding and DNA cleavage activity of oxovanadium(IV) N-salicylidene-S-methyldithiocarbazate complexes of phenanthroline bases

Ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(salmdtc)(B)] (1-3), where salmdtc is dianionic N-salicylidene-S-methyldithiocarbazate and B is N,N-donor phenanthroline bases like 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 2) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz, 3), are prepared, characterized and their DNA binding and DNA cleavage activity studied. Complex 3 is structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure shows the presence of a vanadyl group in six-coordinate VN₃O₂S coordination geometry. The S-methyldithiocarbazate Schiff base acts as a tridentate NSO-donor ligand in a meridional binding mode. The N,N-donor heterocyclic base displays a chelating mode of binding with an N-donor site trans to the vanadyl oxo-group. The complexes show a d-d band in the range of 675-707 nm in DMF. They exhibit an irreversible oxidative cyclic voltammetric response near 0.9 V due to the V(V)/V(IV) couple and a quasi-reversible reductive V(IV)/V(III) redox couple near −1.0 V vs. SCE in DMF-0.1 M TBAP. The complexes show good binding propensity to calf thymus DNA giving binding constant values in the range of 7.4 × 10⁴-2.3 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The thermal denaturation and viscosity binding data suggest DNA surface and/or groove binding nature of the complexes. The complexes show poor chemical nuclease activity in dark in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) or hydrogen peroxide. The dpq and dppz complexes show efficient DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light of 365 nm via a type-II mechanistic pathway involving formation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) as the reactive species.     

Synthesis, structure and solution chemistry of mixed-ligand oxovanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(V) complexes incorporating tridentate ONO donor hydrazone ligands

In the title family, the ONO donor ligands are the acetylhydrazones of salicylaldehyde (H₂L¹) and 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L²) (general abbreviation, H₂L). The reaction of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) with a mixture of tridentate H₂L and a bidentate NN donor [e.g., 2,2′-bipyridine(bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline(phen), hereafter B] ligands in equimolar ratio afforded the tetravalent complexes of the type [V^IVO(L)(B)]; complexes (1)-(4) whereas, if B is replaced by 8-hydroxyquinoline(Hhq) (which is a bidentate ON donor ligand), the above reaction mixture yielded the pentavalent complexes of the type [V^VO(L)(hq)]; complexes (5) and (6). Aerial oxygen is most likely the oxidant (for the oxidation of V^IV → V^V) in the synthesis of pentavalent complexes (5) and (6). [V^IVO(L)(B)] complexes are one electron paramagnetic and display axial EPR spectra, while the [V^VO(L)(hq)] complexes are diamagnetic. The X-ray structure of [V^VO(L²)(hq)] (6) indicates that H₂L² ligand is bonded with the vanadium meridionally in a tridentate dinegative fashion through its phenolic-O, enolic-O and imine-N atoms. The general bond length order is: oxo < phenolato < enolato. The V-O (enolato) bond is longer than V-O (phenolato) bond by ∼0.07 Å and is identical with V-O (carboxylate) bond. ¹H NMR spectrum of (6) in CDCl₃ solution indicates that the binding nature in the solid state is also retained in solution. Complexes (1)-(4) display two ligand-field transitions in the visible region near 820 and 480 nm in DMF solution and exhibit irreversible oxidation peak near +0.60 V versus SCE in DMSO solution, while complexes (5) and (6) exhibit only LMCT band near 535 nm and display quasi-reversible one electron reduction peak near −0.10 V versus SCE in CH₂Cl₂ solution. The VO³⁺-VO²⁺E_1/2 values shift considerably to more negative values when neutral NN donor is replaced by anionic ON donor species and it also provides better VO³⁺ binding via phenolato oxygen. For a given bidentate ligand, E_1/2 increases in the order: (L²)²⁻ < (L¹)²⁻.     

Copper(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes of D-3-phosphoglyceric acid

The complexes formed between D-3-phosphoglyceric acid and H(+), Cu(II) and VO(IV) were studied by pH-potentiometric and spectral (UV-Vis, EPR and CD) methods in order to describe the speciation of the metal ions and to determine the most probable binding modes in the complexes formed in these systems. The results show that, in the pH range between 2 and 4, mononuclear 1:1 complexes are formed through bidentate (MAH) or tridentate (MA) coordination of the ligand. At higher pH, when the proton competition for the central alcoholic-OH function decreases, alcoholate-bridged dinuclear species of composition M(2)A(2)H(-n) (n=1-3) become predominant. VO(IV) seems to have a higher tendency than Cu(II) to form such dinuclear complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of organometallic Zr(IV) carboxylate complexes

A series of zirconium(IV) complexes, [ZrX₂(XDK)], where XDK is the constrained carboxylate ligand m-xylylenediamine bis(Kemp's triacid imide), were prepared and structurally characterized. The solid state structure of the mononuclear carboxylate alkyl complex [Zr(CH₂Ph)₂(XDK)] reveals that one benzyl group is bonded in an η²-fashion to the metal center. The reactivity of [Zr(CH₂Ph)₂(XDK)] displays its electrophilic character toward nucleophiles strong enough to displace the η²-benzyl group. Thus, weak sigma donor ligands such as CO, alkynes and anilines do not react, whereas strong sigma donors, such as pyridines and isocyanides, rapidly form the monoadduct [Zr(CH₂Ph)₂(4-tert-butylpyridine)(XDK)] and [Zr{η²-2,6-Me₂PhNCCH₂Ph}₂(XDK)], an η²-iminoacyl derivative, respectively. Attempts to prepare zirconium amido complexes with H₂XDK generally afforded the eight-coordinate [Zr(XDK)₂] complex but use of the small amido ligand precursorZr(NMe₂)₄ allowed [Zr(NMe₂)₂(4-tert-butylpyridine)(XDK)] to be isolated in good yield.     

Synthesis, characterization and preliminary insulin-enhancing studies of symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base complexes of oxovanadium(IV)

A series of oxovanadium(IV) symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base complexes have been isolated from the reaction of VOSO₄ with Schiff bases obtained from the condensation of 2-hydroxybenzophenone or 2-hydroxy-5-chlorosalicylaldehyde with various aliphatic diamines. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance, electronic spectral, cyclic voltammetry and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The solution EPR spectra are consistent with square pyramidal complexes with C_4v symmetry. The IR spectra confirmed that the complexes are all monomeric except for [VO(Clsal)₂tn] which polymerizes via OV?VO linkages. The electronic spectra indicate a square pyramidal geometry in both non-coordinating and coordinating solvents except for [VO(bp₂-pn)] which appears to be octahedral in DMSO. The room temperature magnetic moments of 1.7-1.8 B.M. are normal for V(IV) d¹ configuration. Evidence for electrochemical pseudo-reversibility is presented for four of the complexes. In vitro studies revealed that two of the compounds, [VO(bp₂-en] and [VO(bp₂-tn)MeOH], significantly increased glucose uptake when compared to the basal glucose uptake in transformed and sensitized C1C12 cells, but not at the same level as insulin.     

Synthesis and the structure of mixed carboxylatoplatinum(IV) complexes involving one trifluoroacetate ligand

Mono(trifluoroacetato)platinum(IV) complexes of the formula [Pt^IV(dach)L₃(TFAc)] (dach = trans-(±)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, TFAc = trifluoroacetate, L = acetate or propionate) could be prepared from the reaction of [Pt^IV(dach)L₃(OH)] with trifluoroacetic anhydride in the presence of a base and the crystal structure of compound 4 was determined by X-ray crystallography. In vitro antitumor activity of complex 4 (ED₅₀ = 3.1 μM) was found to be much higher than carboplatin (ED₅₀ = 10.2 μM).     

Photocytotoxicity and near-IR light DNA cleavage activity of oxovanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes having phenanthroline bases

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(L)(B)] (1-3), where H₂L is a Schiff base ligand 2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)phenol and B is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen for 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq for 2) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz for 3), have been prepared, characterized and their DNA binding property and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity studied. Complex 3 which is structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography shows the presence of an oxovanadium(IV) moiety in a six coordinate VO₃N₃ coordination geometry. The complexes show a d-d band within 800-850 nm in DMF. The complexes display an oxidative response near 0.7 V versus SCE for V(V)-V(IV) and a reductive response within −1.1 to −1.3 V due to V(IV)-V(III) couple in DMF-0.1 M TBAP. The complexes are avid binders to calf thymus DNA giving binding constant values of 4.2 × 10⁴ to 1.2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The complexes do not show any “chemical nuclease” activity in dark. The dpq and dppz complexes are photocleavers of plasmid DNA in UV-A light of 365 nm via ¹O₂ pathway and in near-IR light (752.5 to 799.3 nm IR optics) by HO^• pathway. Complex 3 exhibits significant photocytotoxicity in visible light in HeLa cells giving IC₅₀ value of 13 μM, while it is less toxic in dark (IC₅₀ = 97 μM).     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic oxidations of oxovanadium(IV), oxotitanium(IV) and dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with chiral imines of L-amino acids

Representative oxovanadium(IV), oxotitanium(IV), and dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of N-salicylidene-L-amino acids (the amino acids are: valine, leucine, except for Mo(VI), and histidine) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. It has been found that while in the histidine complexes of titanium(IV) and vanadium(IV) the amino acid residue is bound in the expected glycine-like mode, in the molybdenum(VI) complex it is bound in the unusual histamine-like mode. Also, the structure of this molybdenum(VI) complex contains imidazolate-bridged polymeric units in the solid state, while the carboxyl group of the amino acid residue is protonated. In solution the polymeric structure is cleaved and the monomers contain carboxylate and protonated imidazole groups at the histidine residue. The histamine-like structure of the histidine complex was probcd by comparison with that of the chiral dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex of N-salicylidene-L-histidinol. While the structure of the metal centers is six-coordinate for the dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes and the histidine complexes of oxotitanium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV), it is likely that the complexes of the latter metals derived from nonpolar amino acids do not achieve coordination numbers higher than five. The present oxometal complexes are catalytically active in the sulfoxidation of sulfides and in the epoxidations of activated olefins by tert-butyl hydroperoxide, but in general exhibit a low degree of asymmetric induction in these reactions.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological properties of thienyl derived triazole Schiff bases and their oxovanadium(IV) complexes

A new series of biologically active thienyl derived triazole Schiff bases and their oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of physical (m.p., magnetic susceptibility and conductivity), spectral (IR, 1H and 13C NMR, electronic and mass spectrometry) and microanalytical data. All the Schiff base ligands and their oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been subjected to in vitro antibacterial activity against four Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica serover typhi) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains and, for in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifucus, Candida albican, Aspergillus flavus, Microscopum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glabrata. Brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to check the cytotoxic nature of these compounds.     

Structural origins of the insulin-mimetic activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV)

We have investigated the interaction of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(acac)(2)) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by EPR and angle-selected electron nuclear double resonance, correlating results with assays of glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. EPR spectra of VO(acac)(2) showed no broadening in the presence of BSA; however, electron nuclear double resonance titrations of VO(acac)(2) in the presence of BSA were indicative of adduct formation of VO(acac)(2) with albumin of 1:1 stoichiometry. The influence of VO(acac)(2) on uptake of 2-deoxy-d-[1-(14)C]glucose by serum-starved 3T3-L1 adipocytes was measured in the presence and absence of BSA. Glucose uptake was stimulated 9-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2), 17-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2) plus 1 mm BSA, and 22-fold in the presence of 100 nm insulin. BSA had no influence on glucose uptake, on the action of insulin, or on glucose uptake in the presence of VOSO(4). The maximum insulin-mimetic effect of VO(acac)(2) was observed at VO(acac)(2):BSA ratios less than or equal to 1.0. Similar results were obtained also with bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV). These results suggest that the enhanced insulin-mimetic action of organic chelates of VO(2+) may be dependent on adduct formation with BSA and possibly other serum transport proteins.