Glucose structure and insulin resistance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between glucose structure and insulin resistance in the context of type-2 diabetes. Participants explore whether structural changes in glucose could affect its uptake into cells, despite the presence of insulin, leading to hyperglycemia.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how insulin resistance can occur even with insulin present, suggesting that structural changes in glucose might play a role in glucose uptake issues.
  • Different forms of glucose, including straight-chain and cyclic forms, as well as isomers like α-D-glucopyranose and β-D-glucopyranose, are mentioned as potential factors affecting glucose uptake.
  • Another participant refers to a paper discussing the anomeric nature of glucose, pondering its implications for glucose measurement and potential relevance to glucose uptake.
  • A later reply asserts that the issue is not related to glucose structure but rather to disruptions in the insulin signaling pathway that facilitates glucose transport into cells, noting that the exact nature of these disruptions remains unclear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether glucose structure affects its uptake. While some suggest structural changes could be relevant, others argue that the problem lies in the insulin signaling pathway, indicating a lack of consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various scientific papers and concepts, but there are unresolved questions regarding the specific mechanisms of insulin resistance and the role of glucose structure.

mktsgm
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TL;DR
Is there a link between the structure of the glucose and the uptake of glucose into cells
I have a doubt about the process of type-2 diabetes.

It is said that insulin resistance leads to type-2 diabetes. That would mean, even in the presence of insulin, the glucose uptake into the cells does not take place, leading to hyperglycemia.

My doubt is, how could this happen in spite of the presence of insulin?

Could it be something that is structurally wrong with the circulating glucose itself? For example, what happens, if the structure of glucose is changed somehow?

I gather that glucose can exist in different forms such as straight-chain and cyclic ring forms. In cyclic forms also it can be in different isomers such as α-D-glucopyranose, β-D-glucopyranose, α-D-glucofuranose, and β-D-glucofuranose. Also, glucose can convert to mannose also.

I want to know if these structural changes, have anything to do with glucose refusing to enter the cells. Is there any way to detect the changes in the circulating glucose whose uptake is in question?

I would be grateful if any published scientific papers in this regard are shared here.

Thanks
 
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mktsgm said:
TL;DR Summary: Is there a link between the structure of the glucose and the uptake of glucose into cells

I have a doubt about the process of type-2 diabetes.

It is said that insulin resistance leads to type-2 diabetes. That would mean, even in the presence of insulin, the glucose uptake into the cells does not take place, leading to hyperglycemia.

My doubt is, how could this happen in spite of the presence of insulin?

Could it be something that is structurally wrong with the circulating glucose itself? For example, what happens, if the structure of glucose is changed somehow?

I gather that glucose can exist in different forms such as straight-chain and cyclic ring forms. In cyclic forms also it can be in different isomers such as α-D-glucopyranose, β-D-glucopyranose, α-D-glucofuranose, and β-D-glucofuranose. Also, glucose can convert to mannose also.

I want to know if these structural changes, have anything to do with glucose refusing to enter the cells. Is there any way to detect the changes in the circulating glucose whose uptake is in question?

I would be grateful if any published scientific papers in this regard are shared here.

Thanks
I would review what is known about pancreas function first. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5867580/
 
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pinball1970 said:
I would review what is known about pancreas function first. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5867580/
Thanks for the referral. I am quite familiar with the pancreas function.

And just now, while searching for answers to my question, I came across this link.

Anomeric Nature of Glucose and Its Implications

Perhaps this paper is nearly discussing something similar to my doubt "Anomeric Nature of Glucose and Its Implications..."

It discusses the anomers' ratio (between alpha and beta D glucose) with regard to the measurement of glucose.

My doubt lingers if it can somehow relate to the glucose uptake. Just a thought...
 
It has nothing to do with the structure of glucose, as the two anomers of glucopyranose interconvert rapidly under physiological conditions. Instead, it has to do with the disruption of the pathway that's activated when insulin binds to cellular insulin receptors.

In simple terms: glucose can't cross the cell membrane passively, so in order to get glucose into cells, insulin has to bind to receptors on the outside of those cells. When insulin binds these receptors, it activates a biochemical chain of events which causes the cell to produce proteins that transport glucose across the membrane and into the cell. Insulin resistance occurs when this chain of events gets disrupted. The exact nature of this disruption--which link in the chain gets broken--is still unclear, but there are a number of theories. See also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance#Molecular_mechanism
 
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