Influence of prostaglandins on glucose transport in isolated rat uterus

Glucose transport by uterine strips from ovariectomized estrogenized rats was explored. Sugar transport was significantly different from saccharose values (non-specific diffusion) only after 60 min of incubation. The addition of cytochalasin B demonstrated that we are measuring a specific mechanism for glucose transport. Insulin-enhanced sugar transport only at 0.5 or 0.25 U/ml prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), PGE2 and PGF2 alpha (10(-7) M) significantly improved glucose transport, but indomethacin (10(-6) M) failed in modifying this parameter in either control nor insulin-treated tissues. We did not observe an additive or synergistic action between PGE2 (10(-7) M) and insulin (used at maximal or submaximal concentration).