Comparative Study of Glut1 Expression in Solid Ameloblastoma and Mural and Non-Mural Unicystic Ameloblastoma: An Immunohistochemical Study; [ردیاموتسالبولمآرپوتو یسرربیاهسیاقمزوربglut1 کیتسیسینوییاموتسالبولمآلارومولارومریغهبشور یمیشوتسیهونمیا]

Summary: Do jaw tumors differ in glucose uptake? A tissue study found greater GLUT1 expression in solid than unicystic ameloblastoma, hinting at metabolic differences. #OralPathology #CancerBiology

Maleki L ; Khalesi S ; Yazdkhasti M A
Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2026

Abstract

Background and purpose: Ameloblastoma is one of the most common lesions of the jaw. Glucose entry into cells is mediated by a group of membrane-bound proteins called glucose transporters (GLUTs). The expression of these transporters may be increased in benign and, particularly, malignant lesions due to their increased demand for glucose; thus, GLUTs help provide the energy required for tumour growth and metabolism. According to recent studies, the expression level of GLUT1 may be useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of lesions. This study aimed to compare GLUT1 expression in solid and unicystic ameloblastoma types using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 20 samples of solid ameloblastoma and 20 samples of unicystic ameloblastoma (10 mural and 10 non-mural) were selected from the archives of the Oral Pathology Department at Isfahan Dental School. The samples, which had been prepared using excisional biopsy, were stained using the IHC method for GLUT1 expression. The expression level of GLUT1 in odontogenic epithelial cells was evaluated based on the SID index by two oral pathologists. The obtained data were statistically analysed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of GLUT1-positive cells (P < 0.001), staining intensity (P = 0.004), and SID index (P < 0.001) in solid ameloblastoma samples was significantly higher than in unicystic ameloblastoma samples. Furthermore, the mean SID index did not show statistically significant differences according to age, sex, or lesion location (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a significant increase in GLUT1 expression in solid ameloblastoma compared with unicystic ameloblastoma. This increase suggests that altered glucose metabolism may be associated with the biological behaviour of solid ameloblastoma. © 2026, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.