ABSTRACT
Insulin is the predominant hormone responsible for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis through its regulation of metabolic activites in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. Insulin causes an increase in glucose uptake into peripheral tissues, specifically muscle and fat cells; conversely, in the liver, the hormone decreases gluconeogenesis, thereby reducing hepatic glucose output. Insulin is also responsible for the promotion of protein synthesis. These effects result from both rapid and long-term metabolic actions of the hormone (1).
