Vanadium

Abstract

Vanadium, as ammonium vanadyl tartrate, was given orally to six subjects. The total number of days of therapy were forty-five, sixty-three, forty-seven, fifty-eight, forty-seven and sixty-eight, and the total amount of vanadium salt administered was 3,450, 4,325, 3,600, 3,875, 1,575 and 4,225 mg. Except for cramps and diarrhea, which occurred when large doses were given, no toxic effects were noted. Varying amounts of vanadium excreted in the urine suggest unpredictable absorption. Statistical changes did not occur in blood lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, and 17-ketosteroid and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels were unchanged.