The Major Metabolic Fuels Consist of Glucose, Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, and Ketone Bodies; Various Storage and Transport Forms Exist for These Compounds

Glucose_t the digestion product of carbohydrate, is the basic metabolic fuel during periods of adequate nutrition in omni­vorous monogastric animals, such as dogs and rats. Although there are other important fuels in the body, glucose has special significance because under most conditions it is the only fuel that is consumed by the CNS. Therefore, maintaining a steady supply of glucose for brain metabolism is of paramount impor­tance to the body. It is not surprising that an elegant system of homeostasis exists to regulate the availability of glucose to the brain and other tissues. This system of maintaining glucose availability is a major focus of this chapter.