Glucose effects on oxygen consumption by the arterial wall.

The effect of both D- and L-glucose on the rate of oxygen consumption in rat aorta was determined. Oxygen uptake (V02) was found to decrease when the concentration of D-glucose in the medium was increased, with the same effect being found when L-glucose, rather than D-glucose, was used. Based on these results, it would appear that the decrease in the vascular wall oxygen consumption which results from increased glucose levels is not due to a metabolic effect since one of the isomers (D) is metabolized and the other (L) is not. It is suggested, instead, that these results may be be due to a change in the diffusion of oxygen. Possible implications for atherogenesis are also discussed.