Ethanol inhibits G-protein-mediated glucose uptake by C6 glioma cells.

Abstract

The mechanism of ethanol inhibition of glucose uptake was investigated using C6 glioma cells. Basal [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) uptake by C6 cells was inhibited by ethanol in a concentration-dependent manner. Fifty, 75 and 100 mM ethanol significantly inhibited basal 2DG uptake by 12, 20 and 23%, respectively (p < 0.05). Carbachol (an agonist acting via G protein-coupled receptors) stimulated the uptake by 26% (p < 0.05). In the presence of 100 mM ethanol, the ability of carbachol to stimulate 2DG uptake was abolished. In contrast, ethanol did not inhibit the ability of insulin to stimulate 2DG uptake. These results suggest that ethanol inhibits 2DG uptake by selectively interfering with G protein-mediated signal transduction pathway.