Hepatic glycogen synthesis pathway

The hepatic glycogen synthesis pathway, also known as glycogenesis, is the biochemical process by which the liver converts excess circulating glucose into glycogen for storage (StatPearls, 2023). This pathway is primarily regulated by the hormone insulin, which activates key enzymes like glucokinase (GCK) and glycogen synthase (GYS2) while inhibiting glycogen phosphorylase (UniProt, 2024). In the postprandial state, the liver acts as a glucose sink, helping to maintain normoglycemia. Dysregulation of this pathway is a hallmark of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, where impaired glycogen synthesis contributes to postprandial hyperglycemia (PubMed, 2018). Therapeutic strategies often focus on activating specific nodes within this pathway, such as glucokinase activators (e.g., dorzagliatin), to enhance glucose clearance (The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2022). However, over-activation can lead to risks such as hepatic lipid accumulation or severe hypoglycemia.

Other names

GlycogenesisHepatic glycogenesisLiver glycogen synthesisHepatic glucose storage pathway

Activation of rate-limiting enzymes such as glucokinase and glycogen synthase to promote the conversion of blood glucose into stored hepatic glycogen.