Cédric Jurysta

Salivary glucose concentration and excretion in normal and diabetic subjects

The present report aims mainly at a reevaluation of salivary glucose concentration and excretion in unstimulated and mechanically stimulated saliva in both normal and diabetic subjects. In normal subjects, a decrease in saliva glucose concentration, an increase in salivary flow, but an unchanged glucose excretion rate were recorded when comparing stimulated saliva to unstimulated saliva. In diabetic patients, an increase in salivary flow with unchanged salivary glucose concentration and glucose excretion rate were observed under the same experimental conditions. Salivary glucose concentration and excretion were much higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects, whether in unstimulated or stimulated saliva. No significant correlation between glycemia and either glucose concentration or glucose excretion rate was found in the diabetic patients, whether in unstimulated or stimulated saliva. In the latter patients, as compared to control subjects, the relative magnitude of the increase in saliva glucose concentration was comparable, however, to that of blood glucose concentration. The relationship between these two variables was also documented in normal subjects and diabetic patients undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test.

Comparison of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT4 and SGLT1 mRNA Expression in the Salivary Glands and Six Other Organs of Control, Streptozotocin-Induced and Goto-Kakizaki Diabetic Rats

Background/Aims: The expression and localization of several distinct glucose transporters (GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT4, and SGLT1) was recently characterized in the parotid gland of normal rats by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The major aims of the present study was to compare the mRNA expression of these glucose transporters in both the parotid gland and submaxillary gland of control rats, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and hereditarily diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was performed in the parotid and submaxillary salivary glands and, for purpose of comparison, also in the heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and pancreas from control animals and either streptozotocin-treated or Goto-Kakizaki rats. Results: The expression of GLUT4, but not GLUT1 or SGLT1, mRNA was decreased in the diabetic rats. The results also allow comparing both the mRNA expression level of the four glucose transporters in salivary glands and six other organs, and the diabetes-induced changes in such an expression in distinct locations. Conclusion: The mRNA expression of the insulin-dependent GLUT4 transporter was the sole to be significantly decreased in the salivary glands of diabetic animals. The possible consequence of such a decrease in terms of the control of salivary glucose concentration requires further investigation.

Glucose Transport by Acinar Cells in Rat Parotid Glands

Background/Aims: Salivary glucose is often considered as being from glandular origin. Little information is available, however, on the possible role of glucose transporters in the secretion of the hexose by salivary glands. The major aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of several distinct glucose transporters in acinar cells of rat parotid glands. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR analysis, immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques were used to assess the presence of SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2 and GLUT4 in acinar cells of rat parotid glands. Results: Quantitative real-time PCR documented the expression of SGLT1 and GLUT1 in parotid tissues, with a much lower level of GLUT4 mRNA and no expression of GLUT2 mRNA. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of SGLT1, GLUT1 and GLUT4 proteins, but not GLUT2 proteins in the parotid extract. Immunohistochemistry confirmed these findings. SGLT1 was specifically located at the baso-lateral membrane, co-localizing with Na+/K+ ATPase. GLUT1 was found both at the baso-lateral and apical level. GLUT4 appeared to be also located at the baso-lateral level. However, too little GLUT4 was present to allow co-localization labeling. Conclusion: Based on these findings, a model is proposed for the transport of glucose into the acinar cells and thereafter into the acinar lumen.

A tentative model for D-glucose turnover in human saliva

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to propose a tentative model for d-glucose turnover in human saliva. The whole saliva and the saliva from parotid and submandibular/sublingual glands were collected by use of the Salivette™. RESULTS The saliva glucose concentration was measured by the hexokinase method, saliva bacteria glycolysis by use of d-[5-(3)H] glucose, and the saliva ATP content by the luciferase method. The concentration of glucose amounted to 43.9±6.3 (n=29), 197.5±17.3 (n=29), 104.0±12.4 (n=27) μM in whole saliva, parotid saliva and submandibular/sublingual saliva, respectively. The rate of d-glucose utilization by oral bacteria at a physiological concentration of d-glucose in saliva (50μM) was estimated at 0.047±0.003 (n=11) nmol/min per 10(6) bacteria. Unstimulated salivary d-glucose turnover rate, as calculated from the amount of glucose secreted in saliva which comes from parotid and submandibular and sublingual glands represented 214.6±19.1%/min. In order for salivary d-glucose production to match bacterial utilization of the hexose, the total number of oral bacteria was estimated at about 2.0×10(9) bacteria, in fair agreement with previously published data. CONCLUSION This study thus provides support for a tentative model for d-glucose turnover in human saliva.

Abstract no.: 8 Two daily administrations of glibenclamide or nateglinide for three days to normal rats fail to affect the glycemic and insulinemic responses to glucose or the same antidiabetic agents

Glibenclamide and nateglinide are two antidiabetic agents belonging, respectively, to the sulfonylurea and meglitinide family. The major aim of the present study was to investigate whether the prior administration twice daily for three days of these agents to normal rats affects the plasma D‐glucose and insulin responses to either enteral D‐glucose or the same diabetic agents. Glibenclamide (1.0 μg/g body wt.) or nateglinide (50.0 μg/g body wt.) was given by gastric tubing mixed with 2.0 ml of a 0.5 % solution of carboxymethylcellulose. D‐glucose (15 μmol/g body wt.) was administered as a 3.5 M solution. Except for a lower plasma D‐glucose concentration in the glibenclamide group, no significant difference was found between the three groups of rats on the morning of the fourth day. Likewise, the plasma D‐glucose and insulin responses to either D‐glucose or the antidiabetic agents were not significantly different in control, glibenclamide‐ and nateglinide‐pretreated rats. The time course for the increase in plasma insulin concentration and lowering of plasma D‐glucose concentration was characterized by earlier peak and nadir values, respectively, in the rats receiving nateglinide rather than glibenclamide. These findings indicate that, in normal rats, the secretory responsiveness of insulin‐producing cells and glucose homeostasis are not significantly affected by mid‐term administration of either glibenclamide or nateglinide, despite the different time course of their effects on both insulin secretion and glycemia.