Increase in liver glucose transporter mRNA levels during rat liver regeneration

Gene expression of liver facilitated glucose transporter was rapidly induced during the liver regenerating process in rats. It reached maximum of 2.7 times at 8 hr of the regenerating course and returned to normal by 48 hr. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not interfere with the increased gene expression of liver facilitated glucose transporter. By contrast, erythrocyte/brain-type glucose transporter mRNA could not be detected in the livers of partially hepatectomized rats and sham-operated rats. The plasma glucose levels were transiently increased within 2 hr of the regenerative course and then decreased to a nadir at 4 hr. These results suggest that the increased gene expression of liver facilitated glucose transporter contributes to the decrease in plasma glucose levels.