Regulation of blood glucose concentration

Regulation of blood glucose concentration is placed by Liver hormones and intake of Carbohydrate. (hormones like glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol and epinephrine have hyperglycemic effect).

There are two major sources of blood glucose-

1. Dietary carbohydrates – absorbed from intestine
2. Synthesis of glucose in liver – from glucogenic substances – glycogen, glucogenic amino-acids, glycerol and propionate in ruminants, 

Role of Liver in regulation of blood glucose concentration

Liver is the major organ involved in regulating blood glucose. After a carbohydrate meal, the increase in blood glucose is prevented by liver by converting glucose to glycogen and fatty acids. Liver can store glycogen up to 10 to 15% of its weight. During decrease in blood glucose level, liver glycogen is broken down to glucose and released into circulation.

Role of Hormones in regulation of blood glucose concentration

The only hormone that produces high level hypoglycemia is insulin. All other hormones like glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol and epinephrine have hyperglycemic effect.

When insulin effect is removed by pancreatectomy, IGF-I sustains weak insulin activity (but not sufficient to maintain life).

Glucagon and epinephrine promotes glycogenolysis while insulin has antagonistic effect of glycogenesis. Molar ratio of insulin: glucagon rather than the absolute concentration is the determining factor of glycogen breakdown or synthesis. Glucagon stimulates gluconeogenesis from amino acids.