Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Novel SSAO Substrate (C7NH10)6(V10O28)·2H2O, a Prodrug of Peroxovanadate Insulin Mimetics

A new vanadium salt, hexakis(benzylammonium) decavanadate (V) dihydrate (C7NH10)6(V10O28)·2H2O (1), has been synthesized as well as characterized chemically and biologically. An in vitro enzyme assay revealed that compound 1 is oxidized to the same extent as a combination of benzylamine and vanadate by the enzyme semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), and therefore can be considered an SSAO substrate. It also stimulates glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. We describe here the results of 51V-NMR experiments that, combined with the in vitro results, corroborate that compound 1 could act as a prodrug of di-peroxovanadate ([V(OH)2(OO)2(OH)2]2−) insulin mimetics.