Age-related changes on glucose transport and utilization of human erythrocytes: Effect of oxidative stress

Background: Normal aging is associated with an impairment in glucose homeos tasis, Methods: In order to investigate the effect of aging on glucose tran sport and utilization in erythrocytes, the transport and utilization of glu cose were measured in erythrocytes from 10 young (mean age 26 +/- 3 years) and 10 elderly (mean age 70 +/- 7 years) healthy individuals. In addition, the glucose transport and utilization were also measured in the presence of cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH), a toxic organic hydroperoxide that is known to induce oxidative stress. Results: The levels of glucose transport and u tilization were significantly lower in the elderly group than the young gro up (p < 0.05). The glucose transport and utilization were not altered by Cu mOOH treatment in either young or elderly individuals. Conclusion: These re sults indicate an age-related decrease in the both glucose transport and ut ilization in erythrocytes.