Comparative use of fructose and glucose in human liver and fibroblastic cell cultures

Abstract

The effect of fructose as a substitute for glucose in cell culture media was investigated in human skin fibroblast and liver cell cultures. Cells were grown for between 2 and 10 days in identical flasks in four different media, containing 5.5 mmol X 1-1 and 27.5 mmol X 1-1 glucose and fructose, respectively. In the presence of fructose, cell growth was stimulated, but less in liver cells than fibroblasts. At Day 6, increases were observed in [3H]thymidine incorporation, protein levels, and amino acid consumption, and a reduction was noted in ATP levels. In media containing 5.5 mmol X 1-1 glucose or fructose, consumption of fructose was four times lower than that of glucose at Day 3 and did not rise until Day 6. In fructose media, the lactate production was very low (four to five times less than that of glucose) and the pH values were always higher. Some findings were different for the fibroblasts and liver cells, owing to the specific characteristics of these two cell types in culture; this applied especially to the effects of glucose and fructose concentrations of 27.5 mmol X 1-1. Several possible explanations for the stimulation of cell growth in fructose medium were discussed.

Effects of Hexose Sugars: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose and Mannose on Wound Healing in the Rat

“…This observation is in line with the finding that hyperglycemia per se does not impair leukocyte chemotaxis [32]. Previous in vitro studies have shown that high glucose concentration increases fibroblast proliferation [35,36], collagen synthesis [37] and protein synthesis [38]. In the present in vivo experiment no such effect could be seen and this is concordant with findings that local hyperalimentation of granulation tissue with various nutrients enhances wound healing [39], but hy-peralimentation with glucose alone does not [40].…”

“…Previous cell culture studies have demonstrated that elevated fructose concentrations increase fibroblast proliferation and protein synthesis [35,36]. However, in our in vivo experiment the only detectable significant change was a decreased accumulation of nitrogen in the group treated with 1 M fructose suggesting diminished protein synthesis.…”

Comparative use of glucose and fructose in cultured fibroblasts from patients with hereditary fructose intolerance

“…Furthermore, at day 3 or day 6, the protein levels were not significantly different in the control and HFI cells, whatever the medium used. (Delhotal et al, 1984). The time courses of the uptakes of the two hexoses were the same for the two types of cell cultures.…”

Nitrogen Monoxide (NO) and Glucose

“…To test this latter hypothesis further, cells of the hepatocyte lineage (HepG2 hepatoma) were examined to assess if D-Fuc could enhance NO-mediated 59 Fe release. In contrast to fibroblasts, hepatocytes can readily metabolize D-Fuc (45), and using the HepG2 cell line this monosaccharide acted similarly to D-Glc, increasing NO-mediated 59 Fe release to a level 3-fold greater than that observed in its absence (data not shown). This experiment again indicated that metabolism of the monosaccharide was essential for increasing NO-mediated 59 Fe release.…”

“…Statistical analysis of the results from seven experiments showed that the addition of D-Man to GSNO significantly increased (p Ͻ 0.0006) 59 Fe release compared with GSNO alone. It is relevant to note that D-Man can be metabolized by fibroblasts (43,44), whereas D-Fuc is poorly metabolized (45). To determine whether the effects observed with D-Glc and D-Man were specific to these monosaccharides, a wide variety of different aldohexoses, aldopentoses, ketohexoses, and disaccharides were examined for their ability to enhance NO-mediated 59 Fe mobilization.…”