Which hormones predominantly raise hepatic glucose production during fasting?

• A. Insulin and Cortisol
• B. Glucagon and Epinephrine
• C. Growth Hormone and IGF-1
• D. Thyroid Hormone

Answer: (B)

When fasting, the body must keep blood glucose from dropping, so the liver’s glucose output is driven mainly by counterregulatory hormones. The key players are glucagon and epinephrine. Glucagon acts on liver cells to raise cAMP and activate pathways that increase gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, releasing glucose into the bloodstream. Epinephrine also stimulates the liver through beta-adrenergic receptors, boosting cAMP as well and promoting glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis for a rapid glucose surge.

Other hormones can support glucose production, but their effects are slower or more about long-term regulation rather than the immediate, primary rise seen in fasting. Thyroid hormone raises overall metabolism but isn’t the main driver of hepatic glucose output during fasting.