Inhibition of D-glucose uptake by isatin in rat intestine: effect of harmaline and various sulfhydryl reagents.

The effect of isatin (indole-2,3-dione) on D-glucose uptake has been studied in rat intestine. Isatin at 6 mM concentration significantly inhibited both the sugar uptake and transmural (mucosal to serosal side) transport in the intestine. The suppression of glucose uptake by isatin was irreversible. Similar to the action of various SH-group-reacting agents, isatin inhibited the sugar uptake, presumably by binding to membrane sulfhydryl groups through a covalent linkage. Isatin-induced reduction in glucose uptake was unaffected by pH (between 5.5 and 8.4) and by DTT addition to incubation medium. Inhibition of sugar uptake by isatin and harmaline was additive in nature; this suggested that these compounds interact at different sites on the microvillus membrane surface.