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Na+-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 protein in salivary glands: potential involvement in the diabetes-induced decrease in
R Sabino-Silva1, H S Freitas, M L Lamers
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
The Journal of Membrane Biology
|February 25, 2009
Summary
Diabetes reduces salivary secretion by altering the SLC5A1 gene (Na(+)-glucose cotransporter SGLT1) in salivary glands. This enhances SGLT1 in ductal cells, increasing water reabsorption and decreasing saliva flow.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Oral Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with oral health complications, including reduced salivary secretion.
- The SLC5A1 gene encodes the SGLT1 protein, a glucose and water transporter, with known alterations in diabetic kidney tissue.
- Altered SGLT1 expression in salivary glands is hypothesized to contribute to diabetic salivary dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SLC5A1 gene expression and SGLT1 protein localization in the salivary glands of diabetic rats.
- To determine if alterations in SGLT1 contribute to decreased salivary secretion in diabetes.
- To assess the reversibility of these changes with insulin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of salivary secretion in diabetic and control rats.
- Measurement of SGLT1 mRNA expression in parotid and submandibular glands using RT-qPCR.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of SGLT1 protein localization in parotid gland tissues.
Main Results:
- Diabetes significantly decreased salivary secretion.
- SGLT1 mRNA expression was significantly enhanced in the parotid and submandibular glands of diabetic rats.
- SGLT1 protein increased in the luminal membrane of ductal cells and decreased in myoepithelial cells of diabetic rat parotid glands.
- Insulin treatment reversed these observed alterations.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes increases SLC5A1 gene expression in salivary glands, leading to increased SGLT1 protein in ductal cell membranes.
- Enhanced SGLT1-mediated water reabsorption in salivary ducts likely explains the reduced salivary secretion in diabetes.
- These diabetes-induced salivary gland changes are reversible with insulin therapy.
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