Trimetazidine increases [3H]glucose uptake in rat brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Trimetazidine is an antianginal drug that optimizes cardiac energy metabolism by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation.
• Its effects on brain glucose utilization have not been previously studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of trimetazidine on glucose uptake in the mammalian brain.
• To determine if trimetazidine alters [(3)H]glucose uptake in rat brain regions.

Main Methods:

• Adult male Wistar rats received single or multiple doses of trimetazidine (10.0 mg/kg or 5.0 mg/kg/day) or vehicle.
• Radioactive 6-[(3)H]D-glucose was administered 60 minutes after the final dose.
• Brain tissue glucose uptake was quantified using liquid scintillation counting.

Main Results:

• Trimetazidine significantly increased [(3)H]glucose uptake in all dissected brain regions.
• This effect was observed with both single and multiple dose regimens.
• Regions studied included striatum, hippocampus, frontal cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum.

Conclusions:

• Trimetazidine administration leads to increased glucose utilization in the rat brain.
• These central metabolic effects should be considered alongside its known cardiac benefits.