ABSTRACT
Vanadium is considered as an essential trace element in some animals. In human’s classification of vanadium as an essential nutrient is still a topic of debate among various research groups. Nutritionally vanadium is thought to be a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. Increased levels of insulin in blood (hyperinsulinemia) associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Increase intake of fat induces hyperinsulinemia which may leads development of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to know the effect of vanadium supplementation on high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. In this study New Zealand white breed male rabbits divided into three groups. Group-I: rabbits fed with standard diet Group-II: fed with group-I diet and egg yolk, Group-III: rabbits fed with group-II diet and supplemented with 0.5mg/kg of elemental vanadium as sodium meta vanadate. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Triglycerides were significantly decreased in G-III when compared to G-II after the experiment. HDL-cholesterol levels are similar in G-II & G-III. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were significantly decreases in G-III than G-II. The present study shows the antidiabetic and antilipidemic role of vanadium in the experimental rabbits. Supplementation of vanadium may prevents hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk factors like, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in diabetes mellitus.