Overexpression of glucose transporter protein 5 in sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The localization and the expression level of glucose transporter 5 (GLUT 5), detected by immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses, and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were compared. The effects of insulin and recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) were also investigated. GLUT 5 was localized in Schwann cells and axons. GLUT 5 was overexpressed in both sites 5 weeks after STZ injection and MNCV was decreased significantly in STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared with normal rats. These deviations returned to normal rat level after 2 weeks medication with insulin or rhIGF-I, started 3 weeks after STZ injection. These results suggest that overexpression of GLUT 5 may be a trigger for diabetic neuropathy.