Altered expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 glucose transporters in neurohypophysis of water-deprived or diabetic rats

Progressive dehydration due to water deprivation and streptozotocin diabetes both produce increased activity of the hypothalamoneurohypophysial system and enhanced vasopressin secretion. To determine whether enhanced metabolic activity affects glucose transporter protein expression, this study examined the effect of these conditions on 45-kDa GLUT-1 and the neuronal glucose transporter, GLUT-3, which mediate glucose transport in the rat neurohypophysis. Progressive water deprivation increased hematocrit, plasma electrolytes Na⁺ and Cl^-, and vasopressin over 3 days, relative to the severity of dehydration. Plasma vasopressin increased threefold by 24 h, reaching 4.5-fold by 72 h. These changes were reflected in a 56 and 75% decrease in neurohypophysial vasopressin content by 48 and 72 h, respectively. Significant changes in glucose transporters were also observed at 48 and 72 h, with GLUT-1 increasing by 18 and 44% and GLUT-3 increasing by 42 and 55%, respectively. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes produced increases in hematocrit, plasma Cl, and vasopressin, although the magnitude of these changes was less than with dehydration. There was a twofold increase in plasma vasopressin by 3 days, commensurate with the onset of overt diabetes, and a threefold increase by 2 wk. These changes were reflected in a 30 and 40% decline in neural lobe vasopressin content, respectively. Despite the difference in the magnitude of hormone response, GLUT-3 increased by the same amount (53%) as in dehydration. GLUT-1, however, was decreased 16% by 3 days and 25% by 1 and 2 wk of diabetes. Although the opposite effects on GLUT-1 may relate to differences in circulating insulin or glucose, this study is the first demonstration of increased expression of GLUT-3 in response to a common hypothalamic signal in these two conditions.