How to Measure Glucose Uptake

Glucose uptake is the process by which tissues in the body process glucose in order to provide energy to the tissue cells. Different kinds of bodily tissue process glucose in different ways. People with diabetes and other endocrine disorders need to have their glucose uptake monitored. There are several ways to measure glucose uptake in the human body.

Intracellular Measurement

• Scientists have developed a fluorescent type of glucose called 2-NBDG which can be traced throughout the body to measure the glucose uptake in various mammalian cells. This can help study the causes of diabetes mellitus and help develop effective treatments for the disease.

Fat and Muscle Cell Measurement

• Scientists use the specialized compound 3H-2-deoxyglucose to trace glucose and measure glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells to help determine whether non-insulin-dependent diabetes is present.

Physiological Measurement

• Microsensors created out of nanoparticles are now able to measure in a noninvasive way the glucose uptake in cancer cells. It can also be used in the cells of patients with diabetes by tracing the biochemical glucose pathways in the cells.