ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the metabolism of the key nutrients, glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids in the body and how the processes therein involved affect glucose homeostasis. It discusses the interplay of the metabolism of fatty acids and glucose, which are the major fuel sources in the postabsorptive state. The chapter explores how knowledge of the interrelationships of the metabolism of these nutrients can be used to design effective treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes. The key peripheral tissues whose metabolic activities affect glucose homeostasis are the liver, muscle, adipose tissue, and kidney. Blood-glucose regulation is achieved by an intricate balance among many factors, including nutritional status, endocrine and neural mechanisms, and physical activity. There has been an accumulation of evidence to show that increases in the glycolytic flux during glucose metabolism may decrease fatty-acid oxidation. Fatty-acid oxidation affects glycemic control not only by decreasing peripheral glucose utilization, but also by enhancing gluconeogenesis.
