Glucose blood, factors regulating

Rice bran is the richest natural source of B-complex vitamins. Considerable amounts of thiamin (Bl), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5) and pyridoxin (B6) are available in rice bran (Table 17.1). Thiamin (Bl) is central to carbohydrate metabolism and kreb s cycle function. Niacin (B3) also plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism for the synthesis of GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor). As a pre-cursor to NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-oxidized form), it is an important metabolite concerned with intracellular energy production. It prevents the depletion of NAD in the pancreatic beta cells. It also promotes healthy cholesterol levels not only by decreasing LDL-C but also by improving HDL-C. It is the safest nutritional approach to normalizing cholesterol levels. Pyridoxine (B6) helps to regulate blood glucose levels, prevents peripheral neuropathy in diabetics and improves the immune function. 

The role of glucagon and insulin in the regulation of glu-coneogenesis, along with other factors, is to maintain the blood glucose concentration in starvation. This is discussed in Chapter 12. 

Figure 18.3. Endocrine-immune inter-relationship in depression. In depression, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is up-regulated with a down-regulation of its negative feedback controls. Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is hypersecreted from the hypothalamus and induces the release of adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary. ACTH interacts with receptors on adrenocortical cells and cortisol is released from the adrenal glands adrenal hypertrophy can also occur. Release of cortisol into the circulation has a number of effects, including elevation of blood glucose. The negative feedback of cortisol to the hypothalamus, pituitary and immune system is impaired. This leads to continual activation of the HPA axis and excess cortisol release. Cortisol receptors become desensitized leading to increased activity of the pro-inflammatory immune mediators and disturbances in neurotransmitter transmission.

L Phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1) is regulated by several factors. It functions at a rapid rate in the liver when blood glucose is high, or in cells such as muscle when there is a need for ATP. 

Control of physiological responses often involves several hormones. In some systems, two or more hormones act in opposition to each other (e.g., insulin and glucagon in the regulation of blood glucose). In other control systems, several hormones act in information hierarchies. Section 16.4 begins with a description of the best-researched example of such a hierarchy, referred to as a hormone cascade mechanism. This is followed by a discussion of growth factors, specialized proteins that stimulate cell division in susceptible cells. 

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