Insulin Resistance and Glucose Uptake in Diabetes

The regulation of blood glucose levels is a critical physiological process. After consuming a meal, blood glucose levels rise, stimulating the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells and promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues. Conversely, when blood glucose levels drop, particularly during fasting, the pancreas secretes glucagon, which stimulates the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. Understanding the precise interaction between insulin and glucagon is fundamental in human physiology.

In individuals with diabetes mellitus, this regulatory mechanism is compromised. Let's consider a hypothetical scenario: a patient has poorly controlled diabetes and experiences recurrent hyperglycemia. If the patient's body is unable to respond adequately to insulin or if the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, what physiological process may be disrupted that contributes to the symptoms observed in such patients?