Figure 2.

SGK1 exacerbates hyperglycemia by acting on pancreas, intestine and kidney. (A) In pancreas, SGK1 abnormally activates Kv1.5 channel and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase to interfere with the membrane polarization and repolarization process. As a result, the insulin-secreting activity of pancreatic β cell is severely impaired. (B) In intestine, SGK1 promotes the activity of GLUT1 and SGLT1, causing a rapid increase of postprandial blood glucose level via enteral absorption. (C) In kidney, SGK1 facilitates coupled transportation of sodium ions and glucose, which enhances glucose reabsorption and reduces glucosuria.