SGLT1transporteri

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 1, commonly abbreviated as SGLT1, is a protein primarily found in the intestinal brush border and the renal proximal tubules. Its main function is the reabsorption of glucose from the lumen of the intestine and kidney back into the bloodstream. This process is coupled with the movement of sodium ions, which provides the energy gradient for glucose transport. SGLT1 is a high-affinity, low-capacity transporter, meaning it is efficient at reabsorbing glucose even when its concentration is low, but it can become saturated at high concentrations.

In the intestine, SGLT1 plays a crucial role in absorbing dietary glucose and other monosaccharides from digested food. This absorption is essential for providing energy to the body. In the kidneys, SGLT1 is responsible for reabsorbing the majority of filtered glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the blood. Under normal physiological conditions, almost all glucose that is filtered by the kidneys is reabsorbed, preventing its loss in the urine.

Dysfunction or inhibition of SGLT1 can lead to various physiological consequences. For instance, mutations in the SGLT1 gene can cause glucose-galactose malabsorption, a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe diarrhea and malabsorption of these sugars. Pharmacological inhibitors of SGLT1 have been developed as a therapeutic strategy for managing type 2 diabetes. By blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, these inhibitors increase glucose excretion in the urine, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. This mechanism also leads to a mild diuretic effect and can contribute to weight loss.