Glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression in sepsis

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether sepsis influences the expression and activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (Glu-6-Pase) during the early hyperglycemic phase and the later hypoglycemic phase. Sepsis was induced in anesthetized, fasted rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Studies were performed at 0 h, 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 20 h post CLP. The results indicate that mRNA abundance of Glu-6-Pase increases 4-fold at 0.5 h compared to 0 h, 2-fold at 1 h and returned to control value at 1.5 h. This was associated with corresponding increase in Glu-6-Pase activity and plasma glucose levels and a decrease of glucose-6-phosphate (Glu-6-P) concentration at 0.5 h and 1h. Plasma insulin and glucagon level remain same during this period while corticosterone level increased compared to control. At 20 h CLP, plasma glucose level decreased compared to time zero and this was associated with a 10-fold decrease in Glu-6-Pase mRNA abundance. Glu-6-Pase activity and Glu-6-P concentration returned to normal level while insulin, glucagon and corticosterone level increased significantly compared to time zero control. Our data indicate that sepsis induced hyperglycemia was associated with a concomitant elevation in Glu-6-Pase mRNA and that the subsequent hypoglycemia produced by sepsis was accompanied by a depression in Glu-6-Pase gene expression.