Abstract

In the present chapter the physiology and clinical applications of glucose metabolism are going to be discussed. Glucose is one of the central substances in human life supporting processes. Glucose distribution and concentration in blood, interstitial fluid, and tissues, kinetics and mechanisms of transcapillary glucose transport, kinetics and metabolism of glucose transport via its transporters into cells, detailed mechanisms of glucose level influence upon clinical course and prognosis in pathology are still in the area of uncertainty. Morbidity and mortality via diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis are still increasing, enhancing attention of clinicians and biophysics to the problem of glucose sensing and impact. The purpose of this chapter is to review the data on glucose metabolism in physiological norm and pathology, the role of glucose in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis and the glucose sensing in clinical practice. The described problems form three parts of the chapter.