glucose metabolism
Last reviewed 01/2018
Glucose metabolism centres around the maintenance of blood glucose levels within a standard range and the co-ordination of fuel utilization with other reserves e.g. lipids and ketone bodies.
Essentially, blood glucose levels are dependent on the balance between output - breakdown for energy - and input - dietary absorption and release either from storage or by interconversion from other compounds.
Glucose storage predominantly occurs in the liver as glycogen. The biochemical pathways of the liver are adapted to release glucose in response to reductions in the plasma glucose concentration and modulation by various hormones. Pathways include glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.