Objective: To observe the changes in the expression of glucose transporter-3 (GLUT3) in the cerebral cortex of rats during aging and investigate the role of GLUT3 in the aging process of the nervous system.
Methods: The cerebral tissues were collected from rats of 3, 18, 24, and 30 months old (10 in each age group), and the expression of GLUT3 in the cerebral cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Under optical microscope, GLUT3-positive cells were found in every group. Within the age range of 3 to 8 months, GLUT3-positive cells increased significantly with age (P<0.01), but at 24-30 months of age, the number of GLUT3-positive cells reduced significant with age (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The expression changes of GLUT3 ir the cerebral cortex of rats during aging indicate that GLUT3 plays an important role in the maturation and aging of the nervous system.