Diabetes I Flashcards
Describe insulin synthesis?
- Insulin is synthesized as pre-pro-insulin and processed to pro-insulin.
- Pro-insulin is then converted to insulin and C-peptide and stored in secretary granules awaiting release on demand
How is insulin secreted?
- glucose from GI tract
- activates GLUT 2 receptors of beta cells
- increase in ATP closes ATP-gated K+ channels to stop it flowing out
- depolarization
- Ca2+ entry and insulin granule exocytosis
- once secreted acts to trigger glucose uptake from blood
Where is insulin produced?
beta cells of pancreatic islets
Describe the biphasic nature of insulin secretion?
- there is a readily releasable pool of insulin filled granules that can be released without nutrients
- there is a reserve pool of insulin filled granules that is strictly metabolic dependent - this acts as the reserve pool
Describe the tissue distribution and function of the GLUT 1 transporter?
- found in most cells
- helps in basal glucose uptake
GLUT 2?
Location and functions
- found in liver, beta cells, hypothalamus, basal lateral membrane small intestine
- carrier for glucose and fructoose in liver and intestine
GLUT 3?
Location and functions
- found in neurons, placenta, testes, brain
- used for basal glucose uptake
GLUT 4?
Tissue distribution and functions
- found in skeletal and cardiac muscle, fat
- activity increased by insulin
GLUT 5?
- found in the mucosal surface in small intestine, sperm, kidneys
- involved in fructose transport
Where does glucose in the blood come from?
- our diet - Sugary foods and drinks, starchy food and carbohydrate are digested and absorbed into the blood as glucose
- gluconeogenesis - glucose is made by the liver and exctreted into the blood
- glycogenolysis - glycogen is broken down releasing glucose into the blood
How is glucose stored?
stored in the muscle as glycogen
How is glucose normally regulated?
- blood glucose rises
- pancreas produces insulin
- tissues of the body remove glucose from the blood and use it or fuel it
- blood glucose falls
What is diabetes?
A disorder of metabolism where the body is no longer able to regulate the glucose (sugar) levels in the blood
- results from defects in insulin secretion, action or both
Consequences of diabetes?
This usually leads to high sugar levels in the blood which ultimately leads to damage of blood vessels and organs of the body.
Pathogenesis of diabetes?
pancreatic beta cell apoptosis