LM 4.1: Insulin and Glucagon Flashcards
what hormones involved in glucose homeostasis does the pancreas release?
- insulin from β cells
2. glucagon
which organs are involved in glucose homeostasis?
- pancreas
- liver
- muscles
- muscles
- fat cells
- brain
what is the general role that the liver plays in glucose homeostasis?
it takes up glucose when levels are high and releases glucose when levels are low
it also stores glucose in chains as glycogen
what is the general role that the muscles plays in glucose homeostasis?
they are able to take up and store lots of glucose when insulin is present
more muscles mass means more of a reservoir for glucose
what is the general role that the fat cells plays in glucose homeostasis?
fat cells take up glucose when insulin is present
fat cells use glucose to make more fat
what is the general role that the brain plays in glucose homeostasis?
it takes up glucose whenever it needs energy and it doesn’t require insulin to do so
glucose is the fuel the brain normally uses
what are the 2 functional portions of the pancreas?
- exocrine
produces enzymes that get secreted into the pancreatic duct to help with food digestion
- endocrine
islets of Langerhans (alpha, beta, delta) release hormones like insulin and glucagon into the blood stream
what portion of the islets of Langerhans are alpha vs. beta vs. delta vs. F cells? what do each of them secrete?
α cells secrete glucagon and proglucagon (20%)
β cells secrete insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin and amylin (75%)
δ cells secrete somatostatin (3-5%)
γ/F/PP cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide (PP) (<2%)
what is the anatomical orientation of all the cells in one islet of Langerhans?
β cells are in the center closest to the systemic blood supply from the pancreatic arterioles
β cells are surrounded by α cells
on the outside at the peripheral are the δ and PP cells
periportal blood flow within the islets is from beta to alpha to delta cells
how do the islets of Langerhans communicate?
islet cells communicate via gap junctions or via paracrine secretion and signaling
what is the function of alpha cells?
synthesize and secrete glucagon to elevate glucose levels in blood
what is a glucagonoma?
a rare neuroendocrine tumor derived from multipotential stem cells of endodermal origin that can cause up to 1000-fold overproduction of glucagon
blood glucose rises through gluconeogenesis and lipolysis
clinical features includes glucose intolerance/diabetes mellitus, necrolytic migratory erythema, weight loss, diarrhea, venous thrombosis
most are sporadic, but up to 20% are associated with MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1)
which clinical condition is associated with alpha cells?
glucagonoma
which clinical condition is associated with beta cells?
type I and II DM
what is type I DM?
an absolute insulin deficient condition that follows T-cell mediated destruction of β cells
the diagnosis is suggested by presence of pancreatic autoantibodies
what is type II DM?
characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, but also relative impairment in insulin secretion
what is the function of somatostatin?
inhibits secretion of:
- insulin
- glucagon
- gastrin
- GH
what is the clinical condition associated with delta cells?
somatostatinoma
what is somatostatinoma?
tare neuroendocrine tumor that secrete excessive amounts of somatostatin resulting in an extreme reduction in secretion of insulin and causes diabetes
classic triad: diabetes/glucose intolerance, cholelithiasis, diarrhea/steatorrhea (abdominal pain and weight loss)
cholelithiasis may result from inhibition of cholecystokinin release, which reduces gallbladder contractility and diarrhea/steatorrhea result from inhibition of pancreatic enzyme and bicarbonate secretion and intestinal absorption of lipids
45% occur in association with MEN1
how do you diagnose a somatostatinoma?
presence of a fasting plasma somatostatin level exceeding 30 pg/mL