title: Glucose production by the human placenta in vivo.
abstract: The human placenta transports glucose by facilitated diffusion down a concentration gradient from mother to fetus. It has previously been considered incapable of glucose synthesis. However, recent work has demonstrated the presence in placental tissue of glucose-6-phosphatase, which is required for the final step in the synthesis of glucose. Following continuous intravenous infusion into the maternal circulation of the stable isotope, 6,6-(2)H(2)glucose, during elective caesarean section, we have observed isotope dilution in the umbilical vein, without further dilution in the umbilical artery. Using a mathematical model containing maternal, placental and fetal compartments, the data were compatible with the release of glucose by the placenta. We conclude that the human placenta at term can produce glucose.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bannister
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castro-Soares
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halliday
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003903:Deuterium; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D003903:Deuterium; D005947:Glucose