Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
Published on: June 25, 2017
Locating the source of hyperglycemia: liver versus muscle
Haoyong Yu1, Dequan Zhou, Weiping Jia
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Glucose homeostasis relies on insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production and to stimulate glucose uptake by peripheral tissues (primarily skeletal muscle) during and after a meal or glucose load. Glucose metabolism impairments in the liver and/or muscle attenuate these insulin actions, causing hyperglycemia. Thus, identifying the loci of the impairments can improve the understanding of hyperglycemia and enable organ-targeted interventions.
Methods:
Studies were performed to identify such loci using modified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) techniques in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and overweight/obese individuals.
Results:
Individuals with severe T2D were found to have significantly impaired glucose metabolism in both the liver and muscle. In contrast, impairments in glucose metabolism in individuals with non-severe T2D were predominantly localized in the liver or muscle, but not both. Similarly, milder impairments in overweight or obese individuals were clearly localized in either the liver or muscle, but not both. All these impairments are quantifiable.
Conclusion:
Impairments in glucose metabolism in the liver and muscle can be differentiated and quantified in a clinical setting.
Related Concept Videos
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Hypoglycemia
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...

