Glucose transport in cerebral microvessels during Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis infection in mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Parasitology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cerebral malaria, caused by Plasmodium yoelii infection in mice, affects brain microvasculature.
• Glucose transport is crucial for brain function and can be altered during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Plasmodium yoelii infection on D-glucose transport in mouse cerebral microvessels.
• To characterize the kinetic properties and specificity of glucose transport in infected microvessels.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of D-[U-14C] Glucose uptake in isolated cerebral microvessels from Plasmodium yoelii infected and normal mice.
• Assessed the time, temperature, and substrate concentration dependence of glucose transport.
• Evaluated the inhibitory effects of various glucose analogs and metabolic inhibitors.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased D-glucose transport was observed in cerebral microvessels of infected mice compared to controls.
• The enhanced glucose transport was dependent on time, temperature, and substrate concentration.
• Galactose, mannose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and D-glucose demonstrated significant inhibition of this transport.

Conclusions:

• Plasmodium yoelii infection alters glucose transport mechanisms in the cerebral microvasculature.
• The findings suggest a specific, potentially upregulated, glucose transporter is involved in infected brain microvessels.