Glykogeenia

Glykogeenia is the Finnish term for glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as the primary form of glucose storage in animals, fungi, and bacteria. It is a readily available source of energy, particularly for muscle and liver cells.

In humans, glycogen is synthesized and stored mainly in the liver and skeletal muscles. Liver glycogen plays a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream to be used by other tissues. Muscle glycogen, on the other hand, is primarily used to fuel muscle activity during exercise. It is not released into the bloodstream to raise systemic glucose levels.

The synthesis of glycogen, known as glycogenesis, occurs when glucose is abundant. Conversely, the breakdown of glycogen into glucose is called glycogenolysis. These processes are tightly regulated by hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, to ensure adequate energy supply and prevent dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose. Glycogen is a highly branched molecule, which allows for rapid synthesis and breakdown as needed.

Disorders of glycogen metabolism, known as glycogen storage diseases, can result from genetic defects in the enzymes involved in glycogen synthesis or breakdown. These conditions can lead to the accumulation of abnormal amounts of glycogen in cells or the inability to mobilize stored glycogen, resulting in various health problems.