Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the activity and gene expressions of glucose transporters in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes under anoxic condition. Methods The cultured rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes were preconditioned for 6 days by intermittently exposing to hypoxic gas mixture (1% O2, 10% CO2, 89% N2) for 20 min each day. 24h after the last hypoxic exposure, the cells were exposed to anoxic gas mixture (10% CO2, 90% N2 ) for 6h, and the uptake rate of [3H]- 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), the levels of glucose transporter GLUT1 and GLUT3 mRNAs and the cell survival rate were examined immediately after anoxic exposure. Results Neurons and astrocytes preconditioned with hypoxia showed higher 2-DG uptake rates and increased expressions of GLUT1 mRNA in the astrocytes and GLUT1 and GLUT3 mRNA in the neurons. The preconditioned neurons also presented increased tolerance to anoxia, which was abolished by cytochalasin B, a specific inhibitor of glucose uptake. Conclusions Hypoxic preconditioning up-regulates the activity and gene expressions of glucose transporters of hippocampal neurons and astrocytes under anoxic condition.

Key words: hypoxic preconditioning, glucose transport, neuron, astrocyte