Assessment of extracellular glucose distribution and glucose transport activity in conscious rats

The effects of insulin on extracellular glucose distribution and cellular glucose transport activity were studied by simultaneously analyzing the plasma kinetics of L-[1-14C]glucose and 3-O-[3H]methylglucose after an intravenous injection during saline or insulin infusion (euglycemic glucose clamp) in conscious rats (n = 7 for each). The time profiles of plasma L-glucose were almost superimposable in the two protocols, and compartmental analysis showed that neither distribution volumes nor distribution rate constants were affected with insulin (P > 0.05 for all), suggesting that glucose distribution within the extracellular space was not influenced with insulin. In contrast, the time profile of plasma 3-O-methylglucose (3-MG) was markedly altered with insulin; the initial decrease was much faster during insulin infusion than during saline infusion, indicating stimulation of 3-MG transport into intracellular spaces with insulin. The 3-MG data were analyzed using a comprehensive model separately describing extracellular distribution and cellular transport of 3-MG by incorporating information on extracellular distribution kinetics obtained from L-glucose data. The combined L-glucose and 3-MG kinetic analysis precisely estimated insulin's effect in vivo to stimulate glucose transport into and out of intracellular spaces. We conclude that 1) insulin does not affect extracellular glucose distribution kinetics or volumes in conscious rats and 2) insulin's effects on cellular glucose transport in vivo can be assessed by simultaneous analysis of plasma L-glucose and 3-MG kinetics.