Effects of new drug of sulfonylurea on the glucose uptake in SMMC7721 cells

AIM: To explore the effects of the new drug of sulfonylurea (1-{4-［2-(3-ethyl- 4-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyrroline-1- carboxamido)ethyl］-phenylsulfonyl}-3-(1, 4-tetramethylene)-urea, BGW) on the glucose uptake and the activation of Akt/PKB in SMMC7721 cells. METHODS: Cultured SMMC7721 cells were divided into control group, glibenclamide group, insulin group, BGW group and BGW+insulin group. Scintillation was used to detect the glucose uptake in SMM7721 cells. The activation of Akt/PKB was tested by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared to control cells, gibenclamide, insulin, BGW and BGW+insulin significantly increased the glucose uptake (P<0.01), and increased by 22%, 108%, 60% and 400% in SMMC7721 cells, respectively. The new drug of sulfonylurea increased the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (P<0.01) in SMMC7721 cells. The BGW-stimulated glucose uptake was higher than that with the glibenclamide-stimulated, and increased the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (P<0.01). The sulfonylurea significantly enhanced the activity of Akt in SMMC7721 cells. CONCLUSION: The new drug of sulfonylurea (BGW) stimulates glucose uptake, increases the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in SMMC7721 cells, and is a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent.