Endocrinology Flashcards
Define Gylcogenolysis.
Breakdown of glycogen to glucose-1-phosphate and glycogen.
Define gluconeogenesis.
Transformation of lactate, amino acids and glycerol into glucose.
Define Lipolysis.
Hydrolysis of triglycerides into glycerols and fatty acids.
Define ketogenesis.
Production of ketones by breakdown of fatty acids and amino acids
Which organ produces insulin?
Pancreas
Where is insulin produced?
Beta cells in the islets of Langerhans.
State 5 functions of insulin.
⬇️ glycogenesis ⬇️ gluconeogenesis ⬇️ lipolysis ⬇️ ketogenesis ⬆️ glucose uptake
Explain the process of insulin secretion.
- Glucose moves into beta cells via GLUT2 channels
- ATP produced
- ATP binds to ATP sensitive K+ channel and closes it
- K+ ions cannot leave the cell, so it is depolarised
- Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open, allowing Ca2+ ions in
- Ca2+ ions bind to insulin secretory granules (containing insulin) causing them to move to the cell membrane and release insulin via exocytosis
Explain the action of insulin.
- Insulin binds to insulin receptors on muscle and fat cells
- Intracellular signalling cascade is triggered
- Intracellular GLUT4 vesicles move to the cell membrane
- GLUT4 vesicle integrates into cell membrane:
⬆️ number of membrane glucose transporters
⬆️ rate of glucose facilitated diffusion into the cell
⬇️ blood glucose level
By which channels does glucose move into beta cells?
GLUT2 channels
By which channels does glucose move into muscle and fat cells?
GLUT4 channels
Name 5 effects of reduced insulin levels.
⬆️ glycogenolysis ⬆️ gluconeogenesis ⬆️ lipolysis ⬆️ ketogenesis ⬇️ glucose uptake
Define acidosis.
A condition in which the blood is too acidic
Define ketoacidosis.
Acidosis resulting from increased levels of ketone bodies in the blood
What is the pH of blood in acidosis?
pH < 7.35
Define glycogenesis.
Pathway which breaks down glucose
Define glycosuria.
Presence of glucose or other sugars in urine
Define polyuria.
Excessive urination
Define polydipsia.
Extreme thirstiness
Are ketones acidic or alkaline?
Acidic
Define ketonaemia.
Presence of abnormally high ketone concentrations in the blood
Define ketonuria.
High levels of ketones in urine
State 3 triggers of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus
- Untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Stress of illness or infection
Why does diabetic ketoacidosis occur in type 1 diabetes mellitus but not type 2?
Insulin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus are reduced, but high enough to suppress ketogenesis and lipolysis.
How does low insulin lead to hyperglycaemia?
- Gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis are not regulated so new glucose is formed and released into the blood.
- Glycolysis is inhibited so glucose molecules remain in the blood and are not broken down.
How does low insulin lead to ketonaemia?
- Low insulin means lipolysis can occur (especially when the body doesn’t have enough energy, e.g. illness)
- Lipolysis releases fatty acids into the blood
- Free fatty acids undergo ketogenesis in the liver
- Ketone bodies are released into the blood
What is the major cause of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Low insulin
What 2 signs is diabetic ketoacidosis characterised by?
High blood glucose and high blood ketones