Glucose transporters in normal and diabetic kidneys

In the last 12 years, data has accumulated supporting an important role for hyperglycemia in the development of diabetic nephropathy, and in the same period identification and characterization of renal glucose transporters has expanded rapidly. This new knowledge concerning glucose transporters is now being used to determine the roles they may play in diabetic kidney disease. Recent studies of renal glucose transporters have characterized their responses to diabetes, and their potential roles in the diabetic kidney. Glucose transporters have been shown to be rate-limiting for mesangial cell glucose uptake, glucose metabolism and extracellular matrix (ECM) production by these cells. Furthermore, increased renal GLUT1 has been proposed to play an important role in the development of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Recent data suggest increased GLUT8 in podocytes may contribute to diabetic glomerular disease as well. Renal tubular glucose transporter expression is also altered in diabetes, responding to the increased need for glucose reabsorption. However, further investigation is required to determine the potential roles of these glucose transporters in the interstitial kidney disease associated with diabetes.