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The Randle Cycle

Meaning

The Randle Cycle, formally known as the glucose-fatty acid cycle, is a fundamental metabolic mechanism that describes the reciprocal competition between glucose and fatty acids for oxidation as the primary fuel source in tissues like skeletal muscle and the myocardium. This cross-inhibition ensures that the cell prioritizes the available substrate, acting as a fine-tuning system for cellular bioenergetics. Dysregulation of this cycle is theorized to be a significant contributor to the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.