Glucose metabolism

Question 1

Diabetes: Dx tests

Answer 1

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): borderline Pt (110-120 mg/dL) given oral dose of glucose (75g) after 8 h fast; 2-h plasma [glucose] determined; Diabetics present with elevated blood glucose (>120 mg/dL) for extended periods
• Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): >125 mg/dL OR 7.0 mM after 12 h fast indicative of diabetic state
• Post-Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS): nl PPBS is b/w 70-120 mg/dL, elevated PPBS is indicative of diabetes

Question 2

Alcohol-induced hypoglycemia

Answer 2

• massive increase in cytosolic [NADH] in liver
• EtOH-induced increase in NADH causes intermediates of GNG to be diverted into alternative rxn pathways resulting in decreased synthesis of glucose.
• insufficient pyruvate for GNG