Glucose transporter 1 expression in corneal wound repair under high serum glucose level

Purpose: To determine glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 mRNA and protein express ion during corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic rat. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of stre ptozotocin. At 10 days after injection, unilateral 3-mm epithelial debridem ent was carried out in the central cornea. At 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after w ounding, whale corneal epithelium was collected and GLUT1 protein and mRNA levels were determined by Western blotting and reverse transcription-polyme rase chain reaction, respectively. Sugar content in collected samples was m easured by the Anthrone reaction. Normal rats were used as controls. Results: Glucose transporter 1 protein and mRNA levels in unwounded cornea were similarly low in the diabetic and control groups. Healing of corneal w ounds was slower in diabetic rats than in controls. After wounding, GLUT1 m RNA and protein expression in both groups were similarly enhanced compared to unwounded epithelium. Sugar content at all time points did not show sign ificant alteration in any group, although in diabetic rats it was significa ntly higher than in controls throughout the time course. Conclusion: Glucose transporter 1 expression in diabetic rat cornea showed little difference from that in normal rat cornea, suggesting minimal influe nce of GLUT1 on the delayed healing of diabetic corneal wounds. (C) 2000 Ja panese Ophthalmological Society.