Characterization and Modulation of Glucose Uptake in a Human Blood–Brain Barrier Model

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) plays a key role in limiting and regulating glucose access to glial and neuronal cells. In this work glucose uptake on a human BBB cell model (the hCMEC/D3 cell line) was characterized. The influence of some hormones and diet components on glucose uptake was also studied. 3H-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([3H]-DG) uptake for hCMEC/D3 cells was evaluated in the presence or absence of tested compounds. [3H]-DG uptake was sodium- and energy-independent. [3H]-DG uptake was regulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin but not by MAPK kinase pathways. PKC, PKA and protein tyrosine kinase also seem to be involved in glucose uptake modulation. Progesterone and estrone were found to decrease 3H-DG uptake. Catechin and epicatechin did not have any effect, but their methylated metabolites increased [3H]-DG uptake. Quercetin and myricetin decreased [3H]-DG uptake, and glucuronic acid-conjugated quercetin did not have any effect. These cells expressed GLUT1, GLUT3 and SGLT1 mRNA.