In order to limit the amount and size of VLDL that is secreted by the liver, glucose must be metabolized to pyruvate in the astrocytes of the brain. As glucose is metabolized through the glycolytic pathway, it forms an essential cofactor, NADH, for the enzyme steaoryl-CoA desaturase and ATP for the potassium channels within the central nervous system.

Glucose is an essential fuel source. Glucose serves as the primary oxidizable carbohydrate source. Glucose can be oxidized by aerobic or anaerobic metabolism. Anaerobically, glucose can be converted to pyruvate by glycolysis. Pyruvate can be converted to lactate by the lactate dehydrogenase complex or can be further oxidized to acetyl-CoA. Glucose oxidation produces high energy molecules, ATP, and reducing equivalents, NADH. The products of glucose metabolism are used to drive essential cellular processes. ATP acts as the cell's molecular currency whereas NADH is an essential coenzyme in many cellular reactions.

NADH is a cofactor for the enzyme SCD1. To generate reducing equivalents in mammalian tissues in anaerobic conditions, NAD+ is required. The lactate dehydrogenase complex (LDH) (Figure 1),allows pyruvate to be converted to lactate. Lactate can be recycled back to pyruvate and used to resynthesize glucose. The conversion of lactate to pyruvate activates ATP-sensitive potassium channels which are essential in lowering plasma triglycerides and VLDL.

Figure 1 : The Crystal Structure of Plasmodium Vivax Lactate Dehydrogenase Complex [Ion Channel Media Group, 2007]

ATP's role in the central nervous system. Adenosine triphosphate(Figure 2) is a high energy compound that transports chemical energy to cells. It is one of the many byproducts of glucose oxidation. Cleaving the terminal phosphoanhydride bond is highly exergonic and provides the force to couple endergonic reactions. Activating ATP-sensitive potassium channels within the nervous system is an essential means of regulating blood glucose levels (Lam, et al., 2007).

Figure 2: The structure of ATP