The mechanisms coordinating the homeostasis of glucose, lactate, fatty acids, and ketones remain unknown. Through quantitative modeling and experiments, Weilandt et al. reveal that these nutrients compete to be oxidized to meet systemic energy demands. Competitive catabolism normally produces homeostasis but, in obesity, converts increased lipolytic propensity into hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

Fever promotes aberrant influenza A virus RNA synthesis and innate immune activation.

Lactate elevations are a hallmark of human disease, but the mechanisms regulating lactate levels remain poorly understood. Here, Lee et al. elucidate the mechanisms of lactate homeostasis. These invol...