Background  
Glucose is the main energy fuel of the brain tissue; the presence of glucose and its transport to the brain through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to individual brain cells plays a key role in normal physiological functioning and energy metabolism. SLC2A1 is the factor which plays an important role in the transport of glucose into the brain. Thus, it is important to understand the role of altered glucose transport in brain cells and its effect on the state of cognitive functioning in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

Aim  
The aim of our study was to examine the level of the gene encoding SLC2A1 and cognitive functioning in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus under the influence of metformin

Method  
We enrolled 60 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus 17 males and 43 females (aged 60,9+1,40 years, HbA1c – 7,91+0,17 %) (data are presented everywhere as mean+SEM). All patients received metformin SR as a starting glucose-lowering therapy. Real-time PCR analysis was performed for quantitative evaluation of gene of SLC2A1 . The estimation of the SLC2A1 level was carried out at the beginning and 3 months after the treatment. Cognitive functioning was assessed using a standard neuropsychological battery of tests covering the domains of memory, executive functioning, and processing speed. Regression tests were performed adjusted for age, level education, sex. Results presents as B(95% CI). The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25.

Results  
We found correlations between SLC2A1 gene level and memory function (B=0.19(-0.00/0.39); p=0.05). We did not find the relationship between the level of SLC2A1 gene and executive functioning, and processing speed. We found a statistically significant increased levels of SLC2A1 gene after the treatment with metformin - 0.50±0.06 vs 1.11±0.22, respectively, p=0.01.

Discussion  
The changes of SLC2A1 gene can reflect the changes of glucose transport into the brain and can be partly corrected by treatment with metformin.



The association between cognitive functioning and SLC2A1 level in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus