Increased hexokinase activity in fetuses of rats developed under maternal hyperglycemia

Hepatic and diaphragmatic hexokinase (HK) activities increased in fetuses of rats developed under maternal hyperglycemic conditions, compared to those in normal controls. In those organs, Type I and Type II hexokinase isozymes were detected by electrophoresis and densitometry with a chromatoscanner. Densitometric peak that corresponded to hepatic and diaphragmatic Type II hexokinase was also increased in the fetuses developed under hyperglycemia, compared to that of normal fetuses. These findings suggest that in the fetal liver, where significant activity of Type IV was absent, activity of Type II hexokinase varied depending on physiological state such as maternal hyperglycemia.