Biochemical properties and mechanism of action of a vanadyl(IV) - aspirin complex on bone cell lines in culture

A recently synthesized vanadyl(IV) complex with aspirin [VO(aspirin)ClH2O]( 2), has been thoroughly investigated by physicochemical techniques. In orde r to support the proposed structure, stoichiometry and the coordination sph ere of the vanadium center, some studies such as elemental analysis, electr onic (diffuse reflectance) and vibrational (infrared) spectroscopies, magne tic susceptibility, as well as the thermal behavior, were carried out. The bioactivity of the vanadium complex (VOAspi) was evaluated on two osteoblas t-like cell lines in culture, being its cytotoxic effects stronger than the vanadyl cation as assessed by morphological changes and lipid peroxidation . These effects may be partially explained through the induction of the exp ression of Erks (Extracellular signal-regulated kinases) and the inhibition of the PTPases (Phosphotyrosine phosphatases) present in the cellular extr acts.