Hepatic Carbohydrate Metabolism

Abstract

The liver plays a unique role in controlling carbohydrate metabolism by maintaining glucose concentrations in a normal range. This is achieved by a tightly regulated system of enzymes and kinases regulating either glucose breakdown, storage as glycogen, or synthesis in hepatocytes. This process is under the control of glucoregulatory mediators among which insulin plays a key role. The fact that insulin is secreted into the portal system, takes the same route as absorbed glucose, and that the liver eliminates a large portion of the portal insulin at the first pass highlights the role of the liver not only as glucose supply, but as a site of glucose uptake and storage.