Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
High 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH correlated with normal expression of Glut1, HK1, HK2, and HK3
Isadora Pontes Cavalcante1, Maria Claudia Nogueira Zerbini2, Guilherme Asmar Alencar3
1Unidade de Suprarrenal, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil isadoracavalcante@gmail.com.
Background:
Primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome, characterized by functioning adrenal macronodules and variable cortisol production. Recently, we demonstrated a high 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH, an unexpected finding for a benign disorder.
Purpose:
To investigate whether there is a correlation between 18F-FDG high uptake and the expression levels of the glycolytic pathway components GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and HK3 in PMAH.
Material And Methods:
We selected 12 patients undergoing surgery for PMAH who had preoperatively undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT. mRNA and protein expression of the selected genes were evaluated in the adrenal nodules from patients who underwent surgery through quantitative RT-PCR and by immunohistochemistry, respectively.
Results:
SUVmax in PMAH was in the range of 3.3-8.9 and the adrenal size was in the range of 3.5-15 cm. A strong correlation between 18F-FDG uptake and largest adrenal diameter was observed in patients with PMAH. However, no correlation between 18F-FDG uptake and GLUT1, HK1, HK2, HK3 mRNA, and protein expression was observed.
Conclusion:
High 18F-FDG uptake is observed in the majority of PMAH cases. However, 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH is independent of the expression levels of GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and HK3. Further investigation is required to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying increased 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH.
Insights
Primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PMAH) shows high 18F-FDG uptake, but this is not linked to key glycolytic gene expression. Further research is needed to understand this unexpected finding in PMAH.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PMAH) is a rare endocrine disorder causing Cushing's syndrome.
- PMAH is characterized by functioning adrenal macronodules with variable cortisol production.
- Unexpectedly, high 18F-FDG uptake has been observed in PMAH, a finding typically associated with malignant conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between high 18F-FDG uptake and the expression of glycolytic pathway components (GLUT1, HK1, HK2, HK3) in PMAH.
- To explore the molecular basis for elevated 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12 patients with PMAH who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to surgery.
- Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate mRNA and protein expression of GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and HK3 in adrenal nodules.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was found between high 18F-FDG uptake (SUVmax 3.3-8.9) and the largest adrenal diameter in PMAH patients.
- No correlation was observed between 18F-FDG uptake and the mRNA or protein expression levels of GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and HK3.
Conclusions:
- High 18F-FDG uptake is a common finding in PMAH.
- The elevated 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH is independent of GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and HK3 expression.
- Further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms driving increased 18F-FDG uptake in PMAH.
More Related Videos
10:28Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
08:31Fluorescence Microscopy for ATP Internalization Mediated by Macropinocytosis in Human Tumor Cells and Tumor-xenografted Mice
Published on: June 30, 2021