PROSTANOID MODULATION OF GLUCOSE-TRANSPORT IN ISOLATED DIABETIC RAT UTERUS

3-O-C-14-methyl-D-Glucose (3-OMG) transport and C-14-saccharose incorp oration were measured in isolated uterine strips from ovariectomized-e strogenized diabetic rats. Glucose transport was decreased in uterine strips from diabetic rats compared with control animals. PGE(1) and PG E(2) (10(-7) M) stimulated 3-O-MG transport, PGF(2 alpha) failed to mo dify this parameter at the same concentration, while insulin (0.5 U/ml ) evoked an improvement 30% greater than PGs. In spite of the negative influence exerted by TXA(2) over glucose metabolism in the isolated r at uterus, U46619, 10(-5) M (a TXA(2) analogue), and OKY064, 10(-7) M (an inhibitor of TXA(2) synthesis), failed to modify basal or insulin- treated hexose transport. Neither additive or synergistic interactions between PGE, or PGE, (10(-7) M) and insulin at 0.5 U/ml and 0.25 U/ml were detected. We conclude that the stimulatory action of PGE(1) and PGE(2) on glucose metabolism that has been previously described by us, involves enhancement of glucose transport.