Hepatic insulin resistance

What is Hepatic insulin resistance?

The liver is a vital organ in vertebrates that is responsible for coordinating the entire body's metabolism. The liver cells, or hepatocytes, perform the various functions of the liver. Some of the major functions of the liver include gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, cholesterol synthesis, coagulating factor synthesis such as fibrinogen, converting ammonia to urea, bile production and excretion, plasma protein synthesis, and the production of inflammatory proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Many of these hepatic functions are tightly controlled by circulating hormones like insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that affects the entire body's metabolism. It enhances glucose excretion in adipose tissue and muscle while preventing glucose synthesis in the liver by inhibiting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Insulin resistance in adipose tissue induces increased hydrolysis of triglycerides from adipocytes, resulting in an increase in plasma free fatty acids (FFAs). Insulin resistance in muscle cells lowers glucose absorption, but insulin resistance in liver cells leads to reduced glycogen synthesis, failure to control glucose production, increased lipogenesis, and increased synthesis of proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP).