title: Direct effects of biguanides on glucose utilization in vitro.
abstract: The effect of the biguanides metformin and phenformin on glucose utilization in isolated cells was studied with IM-9 human lymphocytes. Both agents stimulated glucose consumption from the incubation media. Detectable effects of metformin were seen at 33 mumol/L and detectable effects of phenformin were seen at 1.7 mumol/L. Both agents, at similar concentrations, also stimulated [3H] 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake. Studies with phenformin indicated that biguanides increase the Vmax of uptake without changing the Km. In contrast to the biguanides, IM-9 cells insulin did not influence either glucose consumption or [3H] 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake. These data provide evidence, therefore, that biguanides may directly influence the cellular utilization of glucose.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000097:blood; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010629:Phenformin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D008687:Metformin; D003847:Deoxyglucose; D010629:Phenformin