Effects of exercise training on skeletal muscle glucose uptake and transport

Exercise training increases the concentration of GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle that is associated with an increase in maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise training results in a long-lasting increase in insulin-stimulated glucose transport in rat skeletal muscle. Glucose uptake and skeletal muscle 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3-MG) transport were determined during hindlimb perfusion in the presence of a maximally stimulating concentration of insulin (10 mU/ml). Hindlimb glucose uptake was approximately 29% above sedentary (Sed) levels in rats examined within 24 h (24H) of their last exercise session. However, when rats were examined 48 h (48H) after their last exercise session, hindlimb glucose uptake was not different from Sed levels. Maximal 3-MG transport was enhanced, above Sed levels, in red (RG; 72% increase) and white (WG; 44% increase) gastrocnemius and plantaris (Plan; 67% increase) muscles, but not soleus (Sol), of 24H rats. GLUT-4 protein content was significantly elevated in those muscles that exhibited enhanced 3-MG transport in 24H rats. GLUT-4 protein content was also elevated in RG, WG, and Plan of 48H rats and was not different from 24H rats. Despite the elevated GLUT-4 protein content, 3-MG transport in 48H rats was only slightly, although statistically not significantly, higher than in Sed rats. These results provide evidence that exercise training does not result in a persistent increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake or transport, despite an increase in GLUT-4 protein content.