Renal gluconeogenesis - Its importance in human glucose homeostasis

Studies conducted over the last 60 years in animals and in vitro have provi ded considerable evidence that the mammalian kidney can make glucose and re lease it under various conditions. Until quite recently, however, it was ge nerally believed that the human kidney was not an important source of gluco se except during acidosis and after prolonged fasting. This review will sum marize early work in animals and humans, discuss methodological problems in assessing renal glucose release in vivo, and present results of recent hum an studies that provide evidence that the kidney may play a significant rol e in carbohydrate metabolism under both physiological and pathological cond itions.