Glucose uptake by normal human breast tissue in organ culture. Influence of insulin and other additives.

Normal human breast tissue explants were cultured in a synthetic basic medium with and without additives. The mean daily glucose uptake per explant was measured under six basic conditions. Our results show that glucose uptake is strongly related to the glucose concentration of the medium. On the other hand insulin does not affect significantly glucose uptake in vitro, but does enhance mitotic activity. These findings support a role for insulin in promoting D.N.A. synthesis rather than in controlling glucose metabolism of human mammary tissue in vitro.