Cerebral Glucose Uptake in Humans at Hypoglycemic Plasma Levels Follows Reversible Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

Kim C. C. van De Ven¹, Marinette van Der Graaf^1,2, Bastiaan E. de Galan³, Cees J. J. Tack³, Arend Heerschap¹

In this study human cerebral glucose content was determined during moderate hypoglycemia (~3 mM), in order to assess values of reversible MM kinetic parameters for glucose transport and compare this with previous data on glucose transport into the brain assessed during eu- and hyperglycemia. We found MM parameters Tmax/CMRglc = 2.93 and Kt = 3.27 mM, which is in agreement with previously published data in humans, and it is also in agreement with findings in rats under hypoglycemic conditions. We conclude that the reversible MM model is also valid at moderate hypoglycemic values.