Kidneys function in glucose homeostasis regulation and its therapeutic implications
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: in the postabsorptive state, glucose must be continuously delivered into the circulation in order to meet energy requirements of tissues such as brain cells, which use glucose as their main fuel. Only liver and kidney are able to release glucose into the circulation. release of glucose into the circulation occurs via two processes: gluconeogenesis, the de novo synthesis of glucose from non-glucose precursors; and glycogenolysis, the breakdown of glycogen. the kidneys play a major role in the regulation of glucose in humans, reabsorbing 99% of the plasma glucose that filters through the renal glomeruli tubules. the glucose reabsorption system in the kidney is mediated by sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (sGlts). this reabsorption is effected by two sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter proteins. cotransporter sGlt2, situated in the s1 segment, and sGlt1, situated in the s3 segment. Expression and activity of sGlt2 are increased in diabetes. a higher than normal amount of glucose is reabsorbed, thereby contributing to maintaining hyperglycemia. chronically elevated plasma glucose levels exacerbate insulin resistance and s cell dysfunction, contributing to the abnormal glucose homeostasis. Blocking sodium-glucose cotransporters (sGlts) to decrease the reabsorption of glucose, and thus increase renal glucose excretion. this represents a novel therapeutic approach to diabetes that is independent of insulin secretion or action. initial clinical data are promising and suggest that sGlt2 inhibitors may be a new therapeutic option for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Authors: Ewa Otto-Buczkowska, Krzysztof Tucholski
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $184
OpenAlex ID: W2520838600