Most tissues and organs, such as the brain, need glucose constantly, as an important source of energy. The low blood concentrations of glucose (hypoglycemia) can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and death. On the other hand, long lasting elevation of blood glucose concentrations (hyperglycemia) can result in blindness, renal failure, cardiac and peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy. Therefore, blood glucose concentrations need to be maintained within narrow limits. The process of maintaining blood glucose at a steady-state level is called glucose homeostasis. This is accomplished by the finely hormone regulation of peripheral glucose uptake (glucose utilization), hepatic glucose production and glucose uptake during carbohydrates ingestion.

Diabetes mellitus is a very common disease which affects approximately 150,000,000 worldwide. With its prevalence rising rapidly, diabetes continues to mystify and fascinate both practitioners and investigators by its elusive causes and multitude of This textbook is written for endocrinologists, specialists in other disciplines who treat diabetic patients, primary care physicians, housestaff and medical students. It covers, in a concise and clear manner, all aspects of the disease, from its pathogenesis on the molecular and cellular levels to its most modern therapy.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease with tremendous health and economic burden. A better understanding of how normal glucose homeostasis is maintained and the pathogenesis is important to identify new ways for diabetes treatment. This book addresses multiple aspects of this area of research. - Written by experts in the field - Informs on important topics related to the regulation of glucose homeostasis and the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, a field of intense research interest

This timely volume provides a comprehensive overview of glucocorticoids and their role in regulating many aspects of physiology and their use in the treatment of disease. The book is broken into four sections that begin by giving a general introduction to glucocorticoids and a brief history of the field. The second section will discuss the effects of glucocorticoids on metabolism, while the third section will cover the effects of glucocorticoids on key tissues. The final section will discuss general topics, such as animal models in glucocorticoid research and clinical implications of glucocorticoid research. Featuring chapters from leaders in the field, this volume will be of interest to both researchers and clinicians.

"Glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance presents a broad overview of the molecular, biochemical and clinical aspects of glucose metabolism and glucose resistance. The book serves to acquaint the reader with recent information on topics ranging from the"

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Series provides up-to-date information on vitamin and hormone research spanning data from molecular biology to the clinic. A volume can focus on a single molecule or on a disease that is related to vitamins or hormones. A hormone is interpreted broadly so that related substances, such as transmitters, cytokines, growth factors and others can be reviewed. This volume focuses on the pancreatic beta cell. - Expertise of the contributors - Coverage of a vast array of subjects - In depth current information at the molecular to the clinical levels - Three-dimensional structures in color - Elaborate signaling pathways

Gluconeogenesis, the metabolic process through which glucose or glycogen is synthesized from noncarbohydrate substrates, is critical for maintaining the plasma glucose level within a narrow range either in the fed or fasting (nutritional deprivation) state. Dysregulation of this pathway usually causes severe or even fatal outcomes. This book discusses a series of up-to-date topics about this critical process, including the fundamental biochemical reactions of glucose metabolism, the glucogenesis process in eukaryotic cells using the Dictyostelium discoideum as a model, the role of "gut-brain-liver axis" in the control of glucose homeostasis, and the new mathematic model for the monitoring and prediction of blood glucose. This book is written by international scientists with expertise in the study of gluconeogenesis. By presenting a clear and succinct review of the fundamentals of gluconeogenesis, it is expected to draw more attentions and stimulate more scientists to dedicate their researches in revealing the mechanism and its application of gluconeogenesis.

Endocrine Disruption and Human Health starts with an overview of what endocrine disruptors are, the issues surrounding them, and the source of these chemicals in the ecosystem. This is followed by an overview of the mechanisms of action and assay systems. The third section includes chapters written by specialists on different aspects of concern for the effects of endocrine disruption on human health. Finally, the authors consider the risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and the pertinent regulation developed by the EU, the US FDA, as well as REACH and NGOs. The book has been written for researchers and research clinicians interested in learning about the actions of endocrine disruptors and current evidence justifying concerns for human health but is useful for those approaching the subject for the first time, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students. - Provides readers with access to a range of information from the basic mechanisms and assays to cutting-edge research investigating concerns for human health - Presents a comprehensive, translational look at all aspects of endocrine disruption and its effects on human health - Offers guidance on the risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and current relevant regulatory considerations

An essential reference for any laboratory working in the analytical fluorescence glucose sensing field. The increasing importance of these techniques is typified in one emerging area by developing non-invasive and continuous approaches for physiological glucose monitoring. This volume incorporates analytical fluorescence-based glucose sensing reviews, specialized enough to be attractive to professional researchers, yet appealing to a wider audience of scientists in related disciplines of fluorescence.

Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and the Eye, Second Edition, thoroughly addresses common features and etiological factors on how dietary and nutritional factors affect the eye. The ocular system is perhaps one of the least studied organs in diet and nutrition, yet the consequences of vision loss are devastating. There are a range of ocular defects that have either their origin in nutritional deficiencies/excess or have been shown to respond favorably to nutritional components. Featuring a new section on animal model studies where both the ocular problem and dietary remedies can be varied, there are also new chapters on dietary supplements. - Serves as a foundational collection for neuroscience, neurology and nutrition researchers, illustrating the importance of nutrition and diet in eye health and function - Provides a common language for readers to discuss how nutritional factors and related diseases and syndromes affect the eye - Features new chapters on infectious diseases of the eye where nutrition is a factor - Discusses animal model studies, dietary supplements, natural dietary extracts from around the world, and age-related changes in ocular health