Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026
09:27
Rapid One-step Enzymatic Synthesis and All-aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues
Published on: February 17, 2017
10.7K
Trehalose intake and exercise upregulate a glucose transporter, GLUT8, in the brain
Hidemi Narita1, Kunikazu Tanji2, Yasuo Miki2
1Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Brain Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hirosaki University of Health and Welfare, 3-18-1 Sampinai, Hirosaki, 036-8102, Japan.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|May 13, 2019
Summary
Trehalose, a disaccharide, enhances brain autophagy and preserves liver glycogen during exercise. Combined with exercise, trehalose increases the trehalose transporter GLUT8, suggesting a role in brain energy supply.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Physical exercise enhances cognitive function via angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
- Autophagy is a cellular process that generates energy during stress, including exercise.
- Trehalose, a disaccharide, previously shown to induce brain autophagy and reduce toxic proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of disaccharide intake and exercise on autophagy in vivo.
- To explore trehalose's impact on autophagy, energy metabolism, and relevant transporters in the brain and liver.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analyses in adult mice.
- Assessment of lipidated LC3 (LC3II) levels in brain and liver.
- Measurement of glycogen storage and transporter (GLUT8, GLUT4) levels.
Main Results:
- Trehalose increased LC3II levels in the brain and liver.
- Treadmill exercise unexpectedly decreased LC3II levels in both tissues.
- Trehalose preserved liver glycogen post-exercise.
- Trehalose increased GLUT8 in the liver and brain (with exercise); GLUT4 levels remained stable.
Conclusions:
- Trehalose enhances autophagy and preserves energy stores during exercise.
- Exercise alone may decrease autophagy markers in the brain and liver.
- Trehalose and GLUT8 may play a coordinated role in supplying energy to the brain.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Glucose Transporters
27.3K
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
27.3K
01:55Secondary Active Transport
137.4K
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
137.4K
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
2.3K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
2.3K
01:25Regulation of Water Intake
2.6K
Osmolality refers to the number of solute particles per kilogram of solvent in a solution. Plasma osmolality specifically indicates the total number of solute particles per kilogram of water in blood plasma. This value reflects the body's hydration status and is tightly regulated through mechanisms controlling water intake and output. While water consumption is a conscious decision, the body has intrinsic regulatory systems to maintain fluid balance. Dehydration, a state of water deficit...
2.6K
01:19Facilitated Transport
146.9K
The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a...
146.9K
01:02Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
4.0K
Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
4.0K