Correlation between local glucose transporter densities and local 3-O-methylglucose transport in rat brain

The present study addresses the question whether local glucose transport ki netics are correlated with local glucose transporter densities in the brain . In 47 brain structures the local rate constants for 3- O-[C-14] methylglu cose (3-O-MG) transport, K-1 and k(2), were quantified, and local glucose G lut1 and Glut3 transporter densities were determined by immuno-autoradiogra phic methods. Statistically significant correlations were found between the rate constants for glucose transport and the transporter densities. The co rrelations were tighter for Glut1 than for Glut3. Inasmuch as 3-O-MG is tra nsported by the same transporter as glucose, these results indicate that th e local densities of glucose transporters determine local glucose transport rates in the brain. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights rese rved.