The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cytochalasin B ( 20 mu M) on the uptake of 3-O-[C-14]-methyl-D-glucose or D-[U-C-14]glucose (8.3 mM each) by BRIN-BD11 cells. Taking into account the distribution space of tritiated water ((HOH)-H-3), which was unexpectedly increased shortly after exposure of the cells to cytochalasin B and then progressively returned to its control values, and that of L-[1-C-14]glucose, used as an extracellular marker, it was demonstrated that cytochalasin B caused a modest, but significant inhibition of the uptake of D-glucose and its non-metabolized analog by the BRIN-BD11 cells. These findings resemble those observed in acinar or ductal cells of the rat submaxillary gland and displayed a relative magnitude comparable to that found for the inhibition of D-glucose metabolism by cytochalasin B in purified pancreatic islet B cells. These findings reinforce the view that the primary site of action of cytochalasin B is located at the level of the plasma membrane.