Hepatic glucose and lipid metabolic pathways

Hepatic glucose and lipid metabolic pathways encompass the complex network of biochemical reactions in the liver responsible for maintaining systemic energy homeostasis (Source: StatPearls, 2023). These pathways include glucose production (gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis), glucose storage (glycogenesis), and lipid processes such as de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. Dysregulation of these integrated systems is central to the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Source: NIH, 2022). While the pathways themselves are not single therapeutic targets, they contain numerous specific enzymes and receptors, such as AMPK and PPARs, that are targeted by pharmacological agents to restore metabolic balance. Effective modulation of these pathways can reduce excessive hepatic glucose output and mitigate lipid accumulation, thereby improving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health (Source: PubMed, 2021).

Other names

Liver metabolismHepatic metabolic regulationGlucose and lipid homeostasis

Pharmacological agents interact with specific nodes within these pathways to alter metabolic flux; for instance, metformin activates AMPK to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, while statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to decrease cholesterol synthesis (Source: PubChem, 2024).