Knowledge of the processes
involved in maintaining glucose homeostasis
as well as insulin resistance is a prerequisite
to develop new therapeutic approaches in diabetes
as well as in liver disease. In the recent
years, genetically-altered mouse models that
have helped to identify enzymes, transcription
factors and mediators that are essential for
maintaining glucose homeostasis in the liver
and provide a valuable tool to study carbohydrate
metabolism in liver disease. In this current
review, genetically manipulated animals
either overexpressing or lacking key gluconeogenic
enzymes, hepatic transcription factors,
IGF-1, hepatic insulin receptors, adipokines and
hepatitis C core antigen will be discussed in
the context of human disease.