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Overview of glucose regulation
1Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1661, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
World Journal of Surgery
|May 10, 2001
Summary
Maintaining stable blood glucose levels is vital for energy and brain function, preventing harmful hyperglycemia. This review details the complex interplay of organs and mechanisms regulating glucose homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Glucose homeostasis is crucial for providing energy to the body and brain while preventing hyperglycemia.
- Hyperglycemia can lead to protein glycosylation, altering structure and function, and affecting all organ systems.
- The body maintains strict blood glucose levels despite dietary variations through a network involving the pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, muscle, and brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intricate mechanisms of glucose regulation.
- To serve as a foundational reference for symposium presentations on glucose metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of the physiological interactions between key organs (pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, muscle, brain).
- Explanation of glucose production pathways, including hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
- Description of glucose utilization via specific glucose transporters and their varying affinities.
Main Results:
- Detailed examination of the hormonal and neural regulation of glucose production and utilization.
- Elucidation of the roles of different glucose transporters in cellular glucose uptake.
- Understanding of the dynamic glucose cycles that maintain metabolic balance.
Conclusions:
- Glucose homeostasis is a complex, multi-organ system essential for health.
- Dysregulation of glucose metabolism can have widespread systemic consequences.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of glucose regulation mechanisms.