Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Diabetes Reports 9/2019

01-09-2019 | Insulins | Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (M-E Patti, Section Editor)

Regulation of Glucose Production in the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes

Published in: Current Diabetes Reports | Issue 9/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Increased glucose production associated with hepatic insulin resistance contributes to the development of hyperglycemia in T2D. The molecular mechanisms accounting for increased glucose production remain controversial. Our aims were to review recent literature concerning molecular mechanisms regulating glucose production and to discuss these mechanisms in the context of physiological experiments and observations in humans and large animal models.

Recent Findings

Genetic intervention studies in rodents demonstrate that insulin can control hepatic glucose production through both direct effects on the liver, and through indirect effects to inhibit adipose tissue lipolysis and limit gluconeogenic substrate delivery. However, recent experiments in canine models indicate that the direct effects of insulin on the liver are dominant over the indirect effects to regulate glucose production. Recent molecular studies have also identified insulin-independent mechanisms by which hepatocytes sense intrahepatic carbohydrate levels to regulate carbohydrate disposal.

Summary

Dysregulation of hepatic carbohydrate sensing systems may participate in increased glucose production in the development of diabetes.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group. Lancet 1998;352(9131):837–53. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group. Lancet 1998;352(9131):837–53.
3.
go back to reference Kannel WB, McGee DL. Diabetes and glucose tolerance as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: the Framingham study. Diabetes Care. 1979;2(2):120–6.CrossRefPubMed Kannel WB, McGee DL. Diabetes and glucose tolerance as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: the Framingham study. Diabetes Care. 1979;2(2):120–6.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Ekberg K, Landau BR, Wajngot A, Chandramouli V, Efendic S, Brunengraber H, et al. Contributions by kidney and liver to glucose production in the postabsorptive state and after 60 h of fasting. Diabetes. 1999;48(2):292–8.CrossRefPubMed Ekberg K, Landau BR, Wajngot A, Chandramouli V, Efendic S, Brunengraber H, et al. Contributions by kidney and liver to glucose production in the postabsorptive state and after 60 h of fasting. Diabetes. 1999;48(2):292–8.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Rothman DL, Magnusson I, Katz LD, Shulman RG, Shulman GI. Quantitation of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in fasting humans with 13C NMR. Science. 1991;254(5031):573–6.CrossRefPubMed Rothman DL, Magnusson I, Katz LD, Shulman RG, Shulman GI. Quantitation of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in fasting humans with 13C NMR. Science. 1991;254(5031):573–6.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Baba H, Zhang XJ, Wolfe RR. Glycerol gluconeogenesis in fasting humans. Nutrition. 1995;11(2):149–53.PubMed Baba H, Zhang XJ, Wolfe RR. Glycerol gluconeogenesis in fasting humans. Nutrition. 1995;11(2):149–53.PubMed
14.
go back to reference McGarry JD. What if Minkowski had been ageusic? An alternative angle on diabetes. Science. 1992;258(5083):766–70.CrossRefPubMed McGarry JD. What if Minkowski had been ageusic? An alternative angle on diabetes. Science. 1992;258(5083):766–70.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Campbell PJ, Mandarino LJ, Gerich JE. Quantification of the relative impairment in actions of insulin on hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 1988;37(1):15–21.CrossRefPubMed Campbell PJ, Mandarino LJ, Gerich JE. Quantification of the relative impairment in actions of insulin on hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 1988;37(1):15–21.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference DeFronzo RA, Ferrannini E, Simonson DC. Fasting hyperglycemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: contributions of excessive hepatic glucose production and impaired tissue glucose uptake. Metabolism. 1989;38(4):387–95.CrossRefPubMed DeFronzo RA, Ferrannini E, Simonson DC. Fasting hyperglycemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: contributions of excessive hepatic glucose production and impaired tissue glucose uptake. Metabolism. 1989;38(4):387–95.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Gerich JE. Metabolic abnormalities in impaired glucose tolerance. Metabolism. 1997;46(12 Suppl 1):40–3.CrossRefPubMed Gerich JE. Metabolic abnormalities in impaired glucose tolerance. Metabolism. 1997;46(12 Suppl 1):40–3.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference • Edgerton DS, Kraft G, Smith M, Farmer B, Williams PE, Coate KC, et al. Insulin's direct hepatic effect explains the inhibition of glucose production caused by insulin secretion. JCI Insight. 2017;2(6):e91863. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.91863. This study shows in a canine model that insulin’s acute effects to suppress glucose production is primarily mediated by its direct effects on the liver independently of insulin action on the CNS, adipose tissue, or other peripheral tissue. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Edgerton DS, Kraft G, Smith M, Farmer B, Williams PE, Coate KC, et al. Insulin's direct hepatic effect explains the inhibition of glucose production caused by insulin secretion. JCI Insight. 2017;2(6):e91863. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1172/​jci.​insight.​91863. This study shows in a canine model that insulin’s acute effects to suppress glucose production is primarily mediated by its direct effects on the liver independently of insulin action on the CNS, adipose tissue, or other peripheral tissue. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
32.
go back to reference Alessi DR, James SR, Downes CP, Holmes AB, Gaffney PR, Reese CB, et al. Characterization of a 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase which phosphorylates and activates protein kinase Balpha. Curr Biol. 1997;7(4):261–9.CrossRefPubMed Alessi DR, James SR, Downes CP, Holmes AB, Gaffney PR, Reese CB, et al. Characterization of a 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase which phosphorylates and activates protein kinase Balpha. Curr Biol. 1997;7(4):261–9.CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference • Titchenell PM, Chu QW, Monks BR, Birnbaum MJ. Hepatic insulin signalling is dispensable for suppression of glucose output by insulin in vivo. Nat Commun. 2015;6:7078. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8078 7078. This study shows that when both the insulin receptor and FOXO1 are knocked out of mouse liver, insulin is able to suppress hepatic glucose production by acting on extrahepatic tissues. This indicates that extrahepatic, insulin-mediated mechanisms exist for regulation of glucose production. CrossRefPubMed • Titchenell PM, Chu QW, Monks BR, Birnbaum MJ. Hepatic insulin signalling is dispensable for suppression of glucose output by insulin in vivo. Nat Commun. 2015;6:7078. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1038/​ncomms8078 7078. This study shows that when both the insulin receptor and FOXO1 are knocked out of mouse liver, insulin is able to suppress hepatic glucose production by acting on extrahepatic tissues. This indicates that extrahepatic, insulin-mediated mechanisms exist for regulation of glucose production. CrossRefPubMed
43.
go back to reference Boden G, Chen X, Capulong E, Mozzoli M. Effects of free fatty acids on gluconeogenesis and autoregulation of glucose production in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 2001;50(4):810–6.CrossRefPubMed Boden G, Chen X, Capulong E, Mozzoli M. Effects of free fatty acids on gluconeogenesis and autoregulation of glucose production in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 2001;50(4):810–6.CrossRefPubMed
44.
go back to reference Sindelar DK, Chu CA, Rohlie M, Neal DW, Swift LL, Cherrington AD. The role of fatty acids in mediating the effects of peripheral insulin on hepatic glucose production in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 1997;46(2):187–96.CrossRefPubMed Sindelar DK, Chu CA, Rohlie M, Neal DW, Swift LL, Cherrington AD. The role of fatty acids in mediating the effects of peripheral insulin on hepatic glucose production in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 1997;46(2):187–96.CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference • Perry RJ, Camporez JG, Kursawe R, Titchenell PM, Zhang D, Perry CJ, et al. Hepatic acetyl CoA links adipose tissue inflammation to hepatic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Cell. 2015;160(4):745–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.01.012. This study shows that one of insulin’s extrahepatic modes of action to decrease hepatic glucose production is mediated by its inhibitory effect on lipolysis in adipocytes. Additionally, it indicates that high fat diet induced hyperglycemia may result from increased hepatic acetyl-CoA levels produced from oxidation of adipose derived fatty acids. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Perry RJ, Camporez JG, Kursawe R, Titchenell PM, Zhang D, Perry CJ, et al. Hepatic acetyl CoA links adipose tissue inflammation to hepatic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Cell. 2015;160(4):745–58. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​cell.​2015.​01.​012. This study shows that one of insulin’s extrahepatic modes of action to decrease hepatic glucose production is mediated by its inhibitory effect on lipolysis in adipocytes. Additionally, it indicates that high fat diet induced hyperglycemia may result from increased hepatic acetyl-CoA levels produced from oxidation of adipose derived fatty acids. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
57.
go back to reference Gastaldelli A, Baldi S, Pettiti M, Toschi E, Camastra S, Natali A, et al. Influence of obesity and type 2 diabetes on gluconeogenesis and glucose output in humans: a quantitative study. Diabetes. 2000;49(8):1367–73.CrossRefPubMed Gastaldelli A, Baldi S, Pettiti M, Toschi E, Camastra S, Natali A, et al. Influence of obesity and type 2 diabetes on gluconeogenesis and glucose output in humans: a quantitative study. Diabetes. 2000;49(8):1367–73.CrossRefPubMed
63.
go back to reference Cohen PTW. Protein phosphatase 1 – targeted in many directions. J Cell Sci. 2002;115(2):241–56.PubMed Cohen PTW. Protein phosphatase 1 – targeted in many directions. J Cell Sci. 2002;115(2):241–56.PubMed
64.
go back to reference Doherty MJ, Moorhead G, Morrice N, Cohen P, Cohen PT. Amino acid sequence and expression of the hepatic glycogen-binding (GL)-subunit of protein phosphatase-1. FEBS Lett. 1995;375(3):294–8.CrossRefPubMed Doherty MJ, Moorhead G, Morrice N, Cohen P, Cohen PT. Amino acid sequence and expression of the hepatic glycogen-binding (GL)-subunit of protein phosphatase-1. FEBS Lett. 1995;375(3):294–8.CrossRefPubMed
65.
go back to reference Hansen L, Hansen T, Vestergaard H, Bjorbaek C, Echwald SM, Clausen JO, et al. A widespread amino acid polymorphism at codon 905 of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase-1 is associated with insulin resistance and hypersecretion of insulin. Hum Mol Genet. 1995;4(8):1313–20. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/4.8.1313.CrossRefPubMed Hansen L, Hansen T, Vestergaard H, Bjorbaek C, Echwald SM, Clausen JO, et al. A widespread amino acid polymorphism at codon 905 of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase-1 is associated with insulin resistance and hypersecretion of insulin. Hum Mol Genet. 1995;4(8):1313–20. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1093/​hmg/​4.​8.​1313.CrossRefPubMed
71.
go back to reference Herrera MG, Kamm D, Ruderman N, Cahill. Non-hormonal factors in the control of gluconeogenesis. Adv Enzym Regul. 1966;4:225–35.CrossRef Herrera MG, Kamm D, Ruderman N, Cahill. Non-hormonal factors in the control of gluconeogenesis. Adv Enzym Regul. 1966;4:225–35.CrossRef
72.
go back to reference Diamond MP, Rollings RC, Steiner KE, Williams PE, Lacy WW, Cherrington AD. Effect of alanine concentration independent of changes in insulin and glucagon on alanine and glucose homeostasis in the conscious dog. Metabolism. 1988;37(1):28–33.CrossRefPubMed Diamond MP, Rollings RC, Steiner KE, Williams PE, Lacy WW, Cherrington AD. Effect of alanine concentration independent of changes in insulin and glucagon on alanine and glucose homeostasis in the conscious dog. Metabolism. 1988;37(1):28–33.CrossRefPubMed
82.
go back to reference • Kim MS, Krawczyk SA, Doridot L, Fowler AJ, Wang JX, Trauger SA, et al. ChREBP regulates fructose-induced glucose production independently of insulin signaling. J Clin Invest. 2016;126(11):4372–86. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI81993. This study shows that ChREBP-mediated activation of G6PC expression and activity is dominant over insulin’s ability to suppress it. It provides evidence that carbohydrate mediated activation of ChREBP can contribute to hepatic insulin resistance. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Kim MS, Krawczyk SA, Doridot L, Fowler AJ, Wang JX, Trauger SA, et al. ChREBP regulates fructose-induced glucose production independently of insulin signaling. J Clin Invest. 2016;126(11):4372–86. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1172/​JCI81993. This study shows that ChREBP-mediated activation of G6PC expression and activity is dominant over insulin’s ability to suppress it. It provides evidence that carbohydrate mediated activation of ChREBP can contribute to hepatic insulin resistance. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
86.
go back to reference • von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff A, Hunter RW, Garcia-Rocha M, Kang L, Lopez-Soldado I, Lantier L, et al. Glucose-6-phosphate-mediated activation of liver glycogen synthase plays a key role in hepatic glycogen synthesis. Diabetes. 2013;62(12):4070–82. https://doi.org/10.2337/db13-0880. This study provides evidence that G6P mediated activation of glycogen synthase is more important than insulin-mediated regulation of glycogen synthase activity in the regulation of glycogen synthesis. CrossRef • von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff A, Hunter RW, Garcia-Rocha M, Kang L, Lopez-Soldado I, Lantier L, et al. Glucose-6-phosphate-mediated activation of liver glycogen synthase plays a key role in hepatic glycogen synthesis. Diabetes. 2013;62(12):4070–82. https://​doi.​org/​10.​2337/​db13-0880. This study provides evidence that G6P mediated activation of glycogen synthase is more important than insulin-mediated regulation of glycogen synthase activity in the regulation of glycogen synthesis. CrossRef
91.
go back to reference Petersen KF, Laurent D, Yu C, Cline GW, Shulman GI. Stimulating effects of low-dose fructose on insulin-stimulated hepatic glycogen synthesis in humans. Diabetes. 2001;50(6):1263–8.CrossRefPubMed Petersen KF, Laurent D, Yu C, Cline GW, Shulman GI. Stimulating effects of low-dose fructose on insulin-stimulated hepatic glycogen synthesis in humans. Diabetes. 2001;50(6):1263–8.CrossRefPubMed
92.
go back to reference Shiota M, Galassetti P, Monohan M, Neal DW, Cherrington AD. Small amounts of fructose markedly augment net hepatic glucose uptake in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 1998;47(6):867–73.CrossRefPubMed Shiota M, Galassetti P, Monohan M, Neal DW, Cherrington AD. Small amounts of fructose markedly augment net hepatic glucose uptake in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 1998;47(6):867–73.CrossRefPubMed
93.
go back to reference Shiota M, Moore MC, Galassetti P, Monohan M, Neal DW, Shulman GI, et al. Inclusion of low amounts of fructose with an intraduodenal glucose load markedly reduces postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 2002;51(2):469–78.CrossRefPubMed Shiota M, Moore MC, Galassetti P, Monohan M, Neal DW, Shulman GI, et al. Inclusion of low amounts of fructose with an intraduodenal glucose load markedly reduces postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in the conscious dog. Diabetes. 2002;51(2):469–78.CrossRefPubMed
94.
96.
go back to reference Kursawe R, Caprio S, Giannini C, Narayan D, Lin A, D'Adamo E, et al. Decreased transcription of ChREBP-alpha/beta isoforms in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese adolescents with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes: associations with insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Diabetes. 2013;62(3):837–44. https://doi.org/10.2337/db12-0889.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kursawe R, Caprio S, Giannini C, Narayan D, Lin A, D'Adamo E, et al. Decreased transcription of ChREBP-alpha/beta isoforms in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese adolescents with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes: associations with insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Diabetes. 2013;62(3):837–44. https://​doi.​org/​10.​2337/​db12-0889.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
102.
go back to reference • Bahar Halpern K, Tanami S, Landen S, Chapal M, Szlak L, Hutzler A, et al. Bursty gene expression in the intact mammalian liver. Mol Cell. 2015;58(1):147–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2015.01.027. This study shows that there is wide variation in the rate of hepatic mRNA turnover and G6PC mRNA turnover is the fastest of all mRNA species robustly detected in the liver. This study underlines the importance of considering metabolic state when harvesting tissues to try to infer molecular mechanisms mediating increased glucose production. CrossRefPubMed • Bahar Halpern K, Tanami S, Landen S, Chapal M, Szlak L, Hutzler A, et al. Bursty gene expression in the intact mammalian liver. Mol Cell. 2015;58(1):147–56. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​molcel.​2015.​01.​027. This study shows that there is wide variation in the rate of hepatic mRNA turnover and G6PC mRNA turnover is the fastest of all mRNA species robustly detected in the liver. This study underlines the importance of considering metabolic state when harvesting tissues to try to infer molecular mechanisms mediating increased glucose production. CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Regulation of Glucose Production in the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes
Publication date
01-09-2019
Keywords
Insulins
Insulins
Published in
Current Diabetes Reports / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 1534-4827
Electronic ISSN: 1539-0829
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-019-1195-5

Other articles of this Issue 9/2019

Current Diabetes Reports 9/2019 Go to the issue

Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (A Pugliese and SJ Richardson, Section Editors)

Extracellular Vesicles in Type 1 Diabetes: Messengers and Regulators

Microvascular Complications—Retinopathy (DL Chao and G Yiu, Section Editors)

Artificial Intelligence Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy: the Real-World Emerging Application

Microvascular Complications—Retinopathy (DL Chao and G Yiu, Section Editors)

Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.