Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, Volume 1 - Murray R. 1993

Bioenergetics and Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Glycogen Metabolism
Biomedical Significance

The function of Muscle Glycogen is to serve as a readily available source of hexose units for Glycolysis within the muscle itself. Liver glycogen is used primarily to maintain physiological Blood glucose levels, especially during periods between meals. Within 12–18 hours after a meal, liver glycogen stores are almost completely depleted. Muscle glycogen levels drop significantly only after prolonged and strenuous physical exertion. Elevated muscle glycogen content can be observed following a high-carbohydrate diet if glycogen stores were previously depleted by intense muscular activity. The term "Glycogen Storage Diseases" encompasses a group of inherited disorders characterized by impaired glycogen mobilization or its deposition in non-physiological forms.

Class="center">Table 19.1. Carbohydrate reserves in the body of a normal adult human (weight 70 kg) after a meal

Liver glycogen

4.0% = 72 g 1)

Muscle glycogen

0.7% = 245 g 2)

Extracellular glucose

0.1% = 10 g 3)

Total 327 g

1) Liver mass 1800 g.

2) Muscle mass 35 kg.

3) Total extracellular fluid volume 10 L.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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