[The role of cellular glucose transporters in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy].

The transport of glucose across plasma membranes is of paramount importance for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and metabolism. Over the past few years it has been established that this process is mediated via a family of specialized and tissue-specific glucose transporters. It has been demonstrated that these facilitative glucose transporters may regulate the cellular uptake of glucose and consequently affect glucose metabolism. It has been suggested that increased utilization of glucose in glomerular cells results in the increased expression and activity of aldose reductase, protein kinase C and TGF-beta, which have been implicated in excessive extracellular matrix accumulation in diabetic nephropathy. In this report we review the identified forms of the glucose transporter family focusing on the systems expressed by the kidney. We also summarize the currently available experimental data suggesting that glomerular glucose transport systems may play a role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.