Insulin and glucose impact on functional and morphological differentiation of rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture.

Glucose and insulin impact on cellular phenotype expression was assessed on rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis pathways and lysosomal, mitochondrial, detoxication system, apical and basolateral membrane marker enzyme activities were assessed. Both insulin and glucose deprivation partially prevented the rise in glycolysis and delayed the drop of gluconeogenesis pathways. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the apical surface of the monolayer revealed a much higher density of microvilli in glucose-free cultures compared to cultures developed with glucose. In conclusion, culture medium deprivation in both glucose and insulin allowed closer functional, biochemical and morphological properties to those which exist in the in vivo situation for proximal tubule cells.