We have investigated the serial changes in the transcription and translation of the rat glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 and 3 genes after 3 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by reperfusion. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization study were performed to determine the chronological change and regional expression. In the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA) cortex, GLUT1 mRNA expression was increased at 12 h (11.6-fold) of reperfusion, and its expression was detected not only in vascular endothelial cells but also in neurons. At 48 h of reperfusion, GLUT3 mRNA expression was increased in the ipsilateral ACA (8.6-fold) and in the contralateral MCA cortex (9.1-fold). Immunohistochemical study failed to show GLUT1 protein synthesis in neurons in the ipsilateral ACA cortex. The immunoreactivity of GLUT3 protein was increased in neurons in ipsilateral ACA cortex and contralateral MCA cortex. Our results suggest that the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 is controlled differently after transient focal ischemic conditions. Furthermore, the postischemic localizations of both GLUT1 and GLUT3 expressions may be altered from the normal physiological expression pattern, which may be of importance in investigating postischemic cell function.