Direct Evidence for Glucose Consumption Acceleration by Carbonates in ‎Cultured Cells

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Established Py-3Y1-S2 rat fibroblast cells were used to evaluate whether NaHCO₃ or Na₂CO₃ influences glucose metabolism in vitro, because factors that contribute to metabolic pathways are much simpler to be evaluated in cultured cells than in whole animal bodies. The effects of the carbonates on glucose consumption decreased at high concentrations, >5 mg/ml for Na₂CO₃ and >7 mg/ml for NaHCO₃, because of the increased pH of the culture medium. The effects of the carbonates on glucose consumption were additive with those of vanadium and concanavalin A. Streptozotocin, alloxan, and nicotinamide, which induced diabetes in animals, reduced glucose consumption by Py-3Y1-S2 cells, and the inhibitory effects of these reagents were abolished by both Na₂CO₃ and NaHCO₃. Finally, the carbonates increased lactate production from glucose in the cells, followed by the acceleration of lactate secretion into the culture medium. The present study clarified that NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ directly regulated glucose metabolism‎‎‎‎.