Physiological endocrine control of energy homeostasis and postprandial blood glucose levels

Abstract

The aim of this review is to analyze the different components and the feedback mechanisms involved in the normal control of energy homeostasis and postprandial blood glucose levels. Such control involves exogenous and endogenous factors: while the former include quantity and quality of food intake, the latter involve the balance of glucose intestinal absorption (postprandial period), glucose production and release by the liver and its consumption by peripheral tissues. Adequate secretion and peripheral metabolic effects of insulin play a key role in the control of both processes. Insulin secretion is controlled by the level of circulating substrates and by gastrointestinal hormones. The mechanism for the immediate control of blood glucose levels is modulated by energy homeostasis, with the participation of the above mentioned hormones and others produced at the classical endocrine system and adipose tissue, whose actions integrate at the central nervous system. The alteration of such delicate mechanism of control causes diseases such as diabetes; therefore, identification of the multiple components of this mechanism and comprehension of its normal function would facilitate the selection of effective strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment.