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Related Concept Videos

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...

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Hyperglycemic Clamp and Hypoglycemic Clamp in Conscious Mice
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Hyperglycemic Clamp and Hypoglycemic Clamp in Conscious Mice

Published on: January 26, 2024

Glucose regulation in birds.

Eldon J Braun1, Karen L Sweazea

  • 1Department of Physiology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. ejbraun@u.arizona.edu

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
|June 24, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Birds exhibit high plasma glucose levels and minimal glycogen storage, differing from mammals. This review explores how birds utilize glucose across organ systems for metabolic needs.

Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology
  • Avian metabolism
  • Glucose homeostasis

Background:

  • Birds maintain higher plasma glucose concentrations (P(Glu)) than other vertebrates.
  • Avian glucose regulation appears largely insensitive to insulin.
  • High P(Glu) in birds does not correlate with increased oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current knowledge on glucose as a metabolic substrate in birds.
  • To examine glucose utilization across avian organ systems.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of avian glucose homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing data from various sources.
  • Analysis of glucose absorption mechanisms (SGLTs and GLUTs) in the avian gastrointestinal tract.

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  • Examination of glucose transport and utilization in avian kidney and nervous system.

    • Main Results:

    • Birds absorb glucose via sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLTs) and glucose transport proteins (GLUTs).
    • Upregulated glucose transporters in the avian kidney prevent urinary glucose loss.
    • The avian nervous system relies on glucose as a primary metabolic fuel.

    Conclusions:

    • Birds possess unique physiological adaptations for managing high plasma glucose levels.
    • Understanding avian glucose metabolism is crucial for comparative physiology.
    • Glucose plays a vital role as a metabolic substrate across multiple avian organ systems.