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Despite periods of fasting and feeding, the blood glucose concentration is maintained within a relatively tight range in healthy, normal individuals. This exquisite control of the blood glucose level is achieved by the balance between glucose production and glucose uptake in the fasting state, and glucose absorption, production, and uptake in the fed state. Insulin plays a central role in the regulation of the blood glucose concentration owing to its ability to suppress glucose production and stimulate glucose uptake. In addition, insulin stimulates cell growth and promotes storage of nutrients via stimulation of lipogenesis, glycogen and protein synthesis, and inhibition of lipolysis and protein degradation. Therefore, a deficiency in the amount and/or action of insulin results in profound changes in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]