An extrapancreatic action of diazoxide to inhibit glucose transport activity on adipocytes

The effect of diazoxide on 3‐O‐methylglucose (3‐O‐MG) transport was studied in isolated rat adipocytes to elucidate its extrapancreatic action. Diazoxide (0.3‐3 mmol/L) significantly inhibited 3‐O‐MG uptake into adipocytes in a basal state or an insulin‐stimulated state. The inhibitory effect was mainly due to the inhibition of insulin responsiveness for 3‐O‐MG uptake. The insulin responsiveness is determined by the capacity in the process of insulin action and in the final glucose transport activity, and diazoxide mainly inhibited the 3‐O‐MG transport activity itself. Based on these findings, this extrapancreatic action of diazoxide is considered to contribute partially to raising the blood glucose level in children receiving the drug. Diazoxide, as a glucose transport inhibitor, may be a useful tool for studying the issues related to glucose transport or insulin action. 1994 Japan Pediatric Society