title: Influence of metformin on GLUT1 gene and protein expression in rat streptozotocin diabetes mellitus model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metformin improves hyperglycaemia via mechanisms which include activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Recent findings indicate that some metabolic actions of metformin occur also by AMPK-independent mechanisms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the action of metformin on expression of GLUT1 glucose transporter in rat streptozotocin model of diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Streptozotocin-induced rats were treated with metformin while monitoring parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. GLUT1 mRNA and protein expression in kidneys, heart, liver and muscles were studied by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry correspondingly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metformin treatment decreased glucose concentration, glycated haemoglobin % and improved glucose tolerance. Streptozotocin diabetes provoked increase of both GLUT1 gene and protein expression in kidneys, metformin treatment produced normalization of the GLUT1 expression levels. In the liver, diabetes triggered an increase in GLUT1 protein expression, which was normalized by metformin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin is prospective for treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia. lizsjak@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jelizaveta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sokolovska
authors.forename: Sergejs
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isajevs
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sugoka
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharipova
authors.forename: Lasma
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lauberte
authors.forename: Darja
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Svirina
authors.forename: Evita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rostoka
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sjakste
authors.forename: Ivars
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kalvinsh
authors.forename: Nikolajs
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sjakste
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin