EXPRESSION OF GLUCOSE TRANSPORTERS IN RAT-BRAIN FOLLOWING TRANSIENT FOCAL ISCHEMIC-INJURY

We have investigated the serial changes in the transcription and trans lation of the rat glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 and 3 genes after 3 h o f middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by reperfusion. Nort hern blot analysis and in situ hybridization study were performed to d etermine the chronological change and regional expression. In the ipsi lateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA) cortex, GLUT1 mRNA expression w as increased at 12 h (11.6-fold) of reperfusion, and its expression wa s detected not only in vascular endothelial cells but also in neurons. At 48 h of reperfusion, GLUT3 mRNA expression was increased in the ip silateral ACA (8.6-fold) and in the contralateral MCA cortex (9.1-fold ). Immunohistochemical study failed to show GLUT1 protein synthesis in neurons in the ipsilateral ACA cortex, The immunoreactivity of GLUT3 protein was increased in neurons in ipsilateral ACA cortex and contral ateral MCA cortex. Our results suggest that the expression of GLUT1 an d GLUT3 is controlled differently after transient focal ischemic condi tions. Furthermore, the postischemic localizations of both GLUT1 and G LUT3 expressions may be altered from the normal physiological expressi on pattern, which may be of importance in investigating postischemic c ell function.