Expression of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter glut-1 in areas ofsclerotic collagen in necrobiosis lipoidica

Background: Glut-1 is the human erythrocyte glucose transporter which media tes facilitative transport of glucose across epithelial and endothelial bar rier tissues. A primary abnormality in glucose transport and Glut-1 cell-su rface content has been observed in fibroblasts from NIDDM and obese individ uals. With the strong correlation between necrobiosis lipoidica and diabete s mellitus, we investigated the expression of Glut-1 in diabetic individual s with necrobiosis lipoidica (NL). Methods: A polyclonal anti-Glut-1 antibody was used with a standard immunop eroxidase technique to determine Glut-1 expression by fibroblasts in areas of sclerotic collagen from specimens taken from diabetic individuals with n ecrobiosis lipoidica,and non-diabetic individuals with scars and granuloma annulare (GA). Results: Our results showed Glut-1 expression in the areas of sclerotic col lagen in patients with NL, possibly contributing to insulin resistance in t hese tissues. Conclusions: Our findings raises the question as to whether abnormalities i n glucose transport by fibroblasts in individuals with necrobiosis lipoidic a contribute to the histopathologic changes.