Glucose metabolism and intestinal glucose handling

Glucose metabolism and intestinal glucose handling refers to the integrated physiological system responsible for the breakdown of dietary carbohydrates and the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream (PubMed: 26828254). This process is initiated by the enzymatic action of alpha-glucosidases, such as maltase-glucoamylase, which hydrolyze complex sugars into monosaccharides (UniProt: P0DPH0). The primary mediator of glucose uptake across the intestinal brush border membrane is the Sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), a high-affinity, sodium-dependent active transporter (UniProt: P13866). Glucose then exits the basolateral membrane into the portal circulation via Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) (UniProt: P11168). This pathway is a critical regulator of postprandial glucose spikes and triggers the 'incretin effect' through the release of GLP-1 and GIP from enteroendocrine cells (PubMed: 24529452). In the context of metabolic disease, particularly type 2 diabetes, excessive or rapid intestinal glucose handling contributes to postprandial hyperglycemia (StatPearls: NBK557852). Therapeutic strategies include alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose to slow digestion and SGLT1 inhibitors or dual SGLT1/2 inhibitors like sotagliflozin to reduce the rate of glucose entry into the systemic circulation (PubMed: 30219545).

Other names

Intestinal glucose absorptionEnteric glucose handlingPostprandial glucose regulationDietary glucose processingSodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1)Alpha-glucosidase

Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase enzymes to delay carbohydrate digestion and inhibition of SGLT1 to reduce the rate of intestinal glucose absorption.