Blood sugar regulation - wikipedia Blood sugar regulation Jump to : navigation , search Ball - and - stick model of a glucose molecule Blood sugar regulation is the process by which the levels of blood sugar , primarily glucose , are maintained by the body within a narrow range . This tight regulation is referred to as glucose homeostasis . Insulin , which lowers blood sugar , and glucagon , which raises it , are the most well known of the hormones involved , but more recent discoveries of other glucoregulatory hormones have expanded the understanding of this process . Contents ( hide ) 1 Mechanisms 1.1 Glucagon 1.2 Insulin 2 Hormones that influence blood glucose level 3 Food 4 References Mechanisms ( edit ) Blood sugar regulation the flatline is the level needed the sine wave the fluctuations . Blood sugar levels are regulated by negative feedback in order to keep the body in balance . The levels of glucose in the blood are monitored by many tissues , but the cells in the pancreatic islets are among the most well understood and important . Glucagon ( edit ) If the blood glucose level falls to dangerous levels ( as during very heavy exercise or lack of food for extended periods ) , the alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon , a hormone whose effects on liver cells act to increase blood glucose levels . They convert glycogen into glucose ( this process is called glycogenolysis ) . The glucose is released into the bloodstream , increasing blood sugar . Hypoglycemia , the state of having low blood sugar , is treated by restoring the blood glucose level to normal by the ingestion or administration of dextrose or carbohydrate foods . It is often self - diagnosed and self - medicated orally by the ingestion of balanced meals . In more severe circumstances , it is treated by injection or infusion of glucagon . Insulin ( edit ) When levels of blood sugar rise , whether as a result of glycogen conversion , or from digestion of a meal , a different hormone is released from beta cells found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas . This hormone , insulin , causes the liver to convert more glucose into glycogen ( this process is called glycogenesis ) , and to force about 2 / 3 of body cells ( primarily muscle and fat tissue cells ) to take up glucose from the blood through the GLUT4 transporter , thus decreasing blood sugar . When insulin binds to the receptors on the cell surface , vesicles containing the GLUT4 transporters come to the plasma membrane and fuse together by the process of endocytosis , thus enabling a facilitated diffusion of glucose into the cell . As soon as the glucose enters the cell , it is phosphorylated into Glucose - 6 - Phosphate in order to preserve the concentration gradient so glucose will continue to enter the cell . Insulin also provides signals to several other body systems , and is the chief regulator of metabolic control in humans . There are also several other causes for an increase in blood sugar levels . Among them are the ' stress ' hormones such as epinephrine ( also known as adrenaline ) , several of the steroids , infections , trauma , and of course , the ingestion of food . Diabetes mellitus type 1 is caused by insufficient or non-existent production of insulin , while type 2 is primarily due to a decreased response to insulin in the tissues of the body ( insulin resistance ) . Both types of diabetes , if untreated , result in too much glucose remaining in the blood ( hyperglycemia ) and many of the same complications . Also , too much insulin and / or exercise without enough corresponding food intake in diabetics can result in low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia ) . Hormones that influence blood glucose level ( edit ) Hormone Tissue of Origin Metabolic Effect Effect on Blood Glucose Insulin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Enhances entry of glucose into cells ; 2 ) Enhances storage of glucose as glycogen , or conversion to fatty acids ; 3 ) Enhances synthesis of fatty acids and proteins ; 4 ) Suppresses breakdown of proteins into amino acids , of adipose tissue into free fatty acids . Lowers Amylin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 2 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 3 ) Reduces food intake . Lowers GLP - 1 Intestinal L cells 1 ) Enhances glucose - dependent insulin secretion ; 2 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 3 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 4 ) Reduces food intake . ( Only works while food is in the gut ) Lowers Glucagon Pancreatic α Cells 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ( glycogenolysis ) ; 2 ) Enhances synthesis of glucose ( gluconeogenesis ) from amino acids or fats . Raises Asprosin White adipose tissue 1 ) Enhances release of liver glucose during fasting . Raises Somatostatin Pancreatic δ Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon release from α cells ( acts locally ) ; 2 ) Suppresses release of Insulin , Pituitary tropic hormones , gastrin and secretin . Lowers Epinephrine Adrenal medulla 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Cortisol Adrenal cortex 1 ) Enhances gluconeogenesis ; 2 ) Antagonizes Insulin . Raises ACTH Anterior pituitary 1 ) Enhances release of cortisol ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Growth Hormone Anterior pituitary Antagonizes Insulin Raises Thyroxine Thyroid 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances absorption of sugars from intestine Raises Food ( edit ) Some edible mushrooms are noted for the ability to lower blood sugar levels including reishi , maitake Agaricus blazei as well as some others . Some minerals play roles in glucose regulation : see Chromium in glucose metabolism for example . References ( edit ) ^ Jump up to : Aronoff SL , Berkowitz K , Shreiner B , Want L ( 2004 ) . `` Glucose metabolism and regulation : Beyond insulin and glucagon '' . Diabetes Spectrum. 17 ( 3 ) : 183 -- 90 . doi : 10.2337 / diaspect. 17.3. 183 . Jump up ^ Ebey Soman , Scienceray , Regulation of Glucose by Insulin Archived July 16 , 2011 , at the Wayback Machine. , May 4 , 2009 . Retrieved November 1 , 2009 . Jump up ^ Romere C , Duerrschmid C , Bournat J , Constable P , Jain M , Xia F , Saha PK , Del Solar M , Zhu B , York B , Sarkar P , Rendon DA , Gaber MW , LeMaire SA , Coselli JS , Milewicz DM , Sutton VR , Butte NF , Moore DD , Chopra AR ( April 2016 ) . `` Asprosin , a Fasting - Induced Glucogenic Protein Hormone '' . Cell. 165 ( 3 ) : 566 -- 79 . doi : 10.1016 / j. cell. 2016.02. 063 . PMID 27087445 . Jump up ^ Zhang HN , Lin ZB ( February 2004 ) , `` Hypoglycemic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides '' , Acta Pharmacol. Sin. , 25 ( 2 ) : 191 -- 95 , PMID 14769208 Jump up ^ Yang BK , Jung YS , Song CH ( November 2007 ) , `` Hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma applanatum and Collybia confluens exo - polymers in streptozotocin - induced diabetic rats '' , Phytother Res , 21 ( 11 ) : 1066 -- 69 , doi : 10.1002 / ptr. 2214 , PMID 17600864 Jump up ^ Konno S , Tortorelis DG , Fullerton SA , Samadi AA , Hettiarachchi J , Tazaki H ( Dec 2001 ) , `` A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients . '' , Diabet Med. , 18 ( 12 ) : 1010 , doi : 10.1046 / j. 1464 - 5491.2001. 00532 - 5. x , PMID 11903406 Jump up ^ Hong L , Xun M , Wutong W ( Apr 2007 ) , `` Anti-diabetic effect of an alpha - glucan from fruit body of maitake ( Grifola frondosa ) on KK - Ay mice . '' , J Pharm Pharmacol , 59 ( 4 ) : 575 -- 82 , doi : 10.1211 / jpp. 59.4. 0013 , PMID 17430642 Jump up ^ Kubo K , Aoki H , Nanba H ( Aug 1994 ) , `` Anti-diabetic activity present in the fruit body of Grifola frondosa ( Maitake ) . I . '' , Biol Pharm Bull. , 17 ( 8 ) : 1106 -- 10 , doi : 10.1248 / bpb. 17.1106 , PMID 7820117 Jump up ^ Lo HC , Hsu TH , Chen CY ( 2008 ) , `` Submerged culture mycelium and broth of Grifola frondosa improve glycemic responses in diabetic rats . '' , Am J Chin Med. , 36 ( 2 ) : 265 -- 85 , doi : 10.1142 / S0192415X0800576X , PMID 18457360 Jump up ^ Manohar V , Talpur NA , Echard BW , Lieberman S , Preuss HG ( Jan 2002 ) , `` Effects of a water - soluble extract of maitake mushroom on circulating glucose / insulin concentrations in KK mice . '' , Diabetes Obes Metab. , 4 ( 1 ) : 43 -- 48 , doi : 10.1046 / j. 1463 - 1326.2002. 00180. x , PMID 11874441 Jump up ^ Horio H , Ohtsuru M ( Feb 2001 ) , `` Maitake ( Grifola frondosa ) improve glucose tolerance of experimental diabetic rats . '' , J Nutr Sci Vitaminol ( Tokyo ). , 47 ( 1 ) : 57 -- 63 , doi : 10.3177 / jnsv. 47.57 , PMID 11349892 Jump up ^ Liu Y , Fukuwatari Y , Okumura K , et al. ( June 2008 ) , `` Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers '' , Evidence - based Complementary and Alternative Medicine , 5 ( 2 ) : 205 -- 19 , doi : 10.1093 / ecam / nem016 , PMC 2396466 , PMID 18604247 . Jump up ^ Kim YW , Kim KH , Choi HJ , Lee DS ( April 2005 ) , `` Anti-diabetic activity of beta - glucans and their enzymatically hydrolyzed oligosaccharides from Agaricus blazei '' , Biotechnol . Lett. , 27 ( 7 ) : 483 -- 87 , doi : 10.1007 / s10529 - 005 - 2225 - 8 , PMID 15928854 . Jump up ^ Hsu CH , Liao YL , Lin SC , Hwang KC , Chou P ( January -- February 2007 ) , `` The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes : a randomized , double - blinded , and placebo - controlled clinical trial . '' , J Altern Complement Med. , 13 ( 1 ) : 97 -- 102 , doi : 10.1089 / acm. 2006.6054 , PMID 17309383 ( Primary result , not review ) Jump up ^ Fortes RC , Novaes MR , Recôva VL , Melo AL ( January 2009 ) , `` Immunological , hematological , and glycemia effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus on patients ' colorectal cancer . '' , Exp Biol Med ( Maywood ). , 234 ( 1 ) : 53 -- 62 , doi : 10.3181 / 0806 - RM - 193 , PMID 18997106 ( hide ) Physiology of the endocrine system Regulatory systems Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- thyroid axis Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- adrenal axis Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- gonadal axis Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- somatotropic axis Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- prolactin axis Hypothalamic -- neurohypophyseal system Renin -- angiotensin system Metabolism Blood sugar regulation Calcium metabolism Fields Neuroendocrinology Pediatric endocrinology Psychoneuroendocrinology Reproductive endocrinology and infertility Other Wolff -- Chaikoff effect / Jod - Basedow effect Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_sugar_regulation&oldid=817541285 '' Categories : Diabetes Medical conditions related to obesity Nutrition Endocrinology Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Português Svenska தமிழ் Edit links This page was last edited on 29 December 2017 , at 01 : 53 . 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describe homeostasis in relation to blood glucose concentration in humans
Blood sugar regulation is the process by which the levels of blood sugar , primarily glucose , are maintained by the body within a narrow range . This tight regulation is referred to as glucose homeostasis . Insulin , which lowers blood sugar , and glucagon , which raises it , are the most well known of the hormones involved , but more recent discoveries of other glucoregulatory hormones have expanded the understanding of this process . Blood sugar levels are regulated by negative feedback in order to keep the body in balance . The levels of glucose in the blood are monitored by many tissues , but the cells in the pancreatic islets are among the most well understood and important . If the blood glucose level falls to dangerous levels ( as during very heavy exercise or lack of food for extended periods ) , the alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon , a hormone whose effects on liver cells act to increase blood glucose levels . They convert glycogen into glucose ( this process is called glycogenolysis ) . The glucose is released into the bloodstream , increasing blood sugar . Hypoglycemia , the state of having low blood sugar , is treated by restoring the blood glucose level to normal by the ingestion or administration of dextrose or carbohydrate foods . It is often self - diagnosed and self - medicated orally by the ingestion of balanced meals . In more severe circumstances , it is treated by injection or infusion of glucagon . When levels of blood sugar rise , whether as a result of glycogen conversion , or from digestion of a meal , a different hormone is released from beta cells found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas . This hormone , insulin , causes the liver to convert more glucose into glycogen ( this process is called glycogenesis ) , and to force about 2 / 3 of body cells ( primarily muscle and fat tissue cells ) to take up glucose from the blood through the GLUT4 transporter , thus decreasing blood sugar . When insulin binds to the receptors on the cell surface , vesicles containing the GLUT4 transporters come to the plasma membrane and fuse together by the process of endocytosis , thus enabling a facilitated diffusion of glucose into the cell . As soon as the glucose enters the cell , it is phosphorylated into Glucose - 6 - Phosphate in order to preserve the concentration gradient so glucose will continue to enter the cell . Insulin also provides signals to several other body systems , and is the chief regulator of metabolic control in humans . There are also several other causes for an increase in blood sugar levels . Among them are the ' stress ' hormones such as epinephrine ( also known as adrenaline ) , several of the steroids , infections , trauma , and of course , the ingestion of food . Diabetes mellitus type 1 is caused by insufficient or non-existent production of insulin , while type 2 is primarily due to a decreased response to insulin in the tissues of the body ( insulin resistance ) . Both types of diabetes , if untreated , result in too much glucose remaining in the blood ( hyperglycemia ) and many of the same complications . Also , too much insulin and / or exercise without enough corresponding food intake in diabetics can result in low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia ) . Hormone Tissue of Origin Metabolic Effect Effect on Blood Glucose Insulin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Enhances entry of glucose into cells ; 2 ) Enhances storage of glucose as glycogen , or conversion to fatty acids ; 3 ) Enhances synthesis of fatty acids and proteins ; 4 ) Suppresses breakdown of proteins into amino acids , of adipose tissue into free fatty acids . Lowers Amylin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 2 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 3 ) Reduces food intake . Lowers GLP - 1 Intestinal L cells 1 ) Enhances glucose - dependent insulin secretion ; 2 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 3 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 4 ) Reduces food intake . ( Only works while food is in the gut ) Lowers Glucagon Pancreatic α Cells 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ( glycogenolysis ) ; 2 ) Enhances synthesis of glucose ( gluconeogenesis ) from amino acids or fats . Raises Asprosin White adipose tissue 1 ) Enhances release of liver glucose during fasting . Raises Somatostatin Pancreatic δ Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon release from α cells ( acts locally ) ; 2 ) Suppresses release of Insulin , Pituitary tropic hormones , gastrin and secretin . Lowers Epinephrine Adrenal medulla 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Cortisol Adrenal cortex 1 ) Enhances gluconeogenesis ; 2 ) Antagonizes Insulin . Raises ACTH Anterior pituitary 1 ) Enhances release of cortisol ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Growth Hormone Anterior pituitary Antagonizes Insulin Raises Thyroxine Thyroid 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances absorption of sugars from intestine Raises Hormone Tissue of Origin Metabolic Effect Effect on Blood Glucose Insulin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Enhances entry of glucose into cells ; 2 ) Enhances storage of glucose as glycogen , or conversion to fatty acids ; 3 ) Enhances synthesis of fatty acids and proteins ; 4 ) Suppresses breakdown of proteins into amino acids , of adipose tissue into free fatty acids . Lowers Amylin Pancreatic β Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 2 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 3 ) Reduces food intake . Lowers GLP - 1 Intestinal L cells 1 ) Enhances glucose - dependent insulin secretion ; 2 ) Suppresses glucagon secretion after eating ; 3 ) Slows gastric emptying ; 4 ) Reduces food intake . ( Only works while food is in the gut ) Lowers Glucagon Pancreatic α Cells 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ( glycogenolysis ) ; 2 ) Enhances synthesis of glucose ( gluconeogenesis ) from amino acids or fats . Raises Asprosin White adipose tissue 1 ) Enhances release of liver glucose during fasting . Raises Somatostatin Pancreatic δ Cells 1 ) Suppresses glucagon release from α cells ( acts locally ) ; 2 ) Suppresses release of Insulin , Pituitary tropic hormones , gastrin and secretin . Lowers Epinephrine Adrenal medulla 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Cortisol Adrenal cortex 1 ) Enhances gluconeogenesis ; 2 ) Antagonizes Insulin . Raises ACTH Anterior pituitary 1 ) Enhances release of cortisol ; 2 ) Enhances release of fatty acids from adipose tissue . Raises Growth Hormone Anterior pituitary Antagonizes Insulin Raises Thyroxine Thyroid 1 ) Enhances release of glucose from glycogen ; 2 ) Enhances absorption of sugars from intestine Raises Some edible mushrooms are noted for the ability to lower blood sugar levels including reishi , maitake Agaricus blazei as well as some others . Some minerals play roles in glucose regulation : see Chromium in glucose metabolism for example .