Module #2: Endocrine Pancreas and Thyroid/Parathyroid Physiology Flashcards
What type of functions does the pancreas have?
endocrine
exocrine
Which pancreatic cells are responsible for its endocrine functions?
Islets of Langerhans
Name the types of Islets of Langerhans cells and their function
alpha = secrete glucagon
beta = secret insulin (co-secretion of amylin)
delta = secrete somatostatin (different from hypothalamus) and gastrin
What does glucagon do?
prevents hypoglycemia
mobilizes “metabolic fuels”
How does glucagon prevent hypoglycemia/mobilize metabolic fuels?
increase blood glucose levels
“catabolic” hormone that mobilizes fuel (glucose and FFA)
What are the target tissues of glucagon?
Liver
Fat Tissues
Muscle
What does glucagon do to the liver?
stimulate glycogenolysis (breakdown glycogen) and glycogenesis (glucose formation)
What does glucagon do to fat tissue?
stimulate lypolysis
What does glucagon do to muscle tissue?
stimulate proteolysis (breakdown for amino acid release)
What does glucagon do in response to hypoglycemia?
glucagon tries to make fuel so it increases:
glucose
free fatty acids and associated ketones
amno acids
What are the factors that stimulate glucagon secretion from the pancreas?
Hypoglycemia
Exercise
Stress
Fasting
What is a factor that inhibits glucagon secretion from the pancreas?
Hyperglycemia
What does Amylin do and when is it secreted?
supresses glucagon
co-secreted w/ insulin during feeding
What is the function of insulin?
prevent hyperglycemia
promote “metabolic fuel” storage
How does insulin function to prevent hyperglycemia and promote metabolic fuel storage?
decrease blood glucose levels –> increase glucose uptake into cells throughout body
decrease blood levels of amino acids, FFA, ketones
decrease serum potassium levels –> promote potassium uptake into cells
What are the target tissues of insulin?
Liver
Muscle
Adipose Tissue
What response does insulin elicit in the liver?
increase: glucose uptake, formation of glycogen, lipid/protein synthesis
decrease: ketogenesis, glycogenolysis
What response does insulin elicit in muscles?
increase: glucose uptake, formation of glycogen, amino acid uptake, protein synthesis
decrease: glycogenolysis
What response does insulin elicit in adipose tissue?
increase: glucose uptake, glucose to form glycerol phoshate (part of TG formation), fat storage (formation)
decrease: lypolysis
What are the factors that stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas?
Hyperglycemia
Increased serum levels of FFA, amin acids
GI/digestive hormones
Parasympathetic stimulation of pancreatic beta cells
What are the factors that inhibit insulin secretion from the pancreas?
Hypoglycemia
Negative feedback loop –> increased insulin levels
Sympathetic stimulation of pancreatic beta cells
Prostaglandins (PGE2)
How does the body regulate insulin receptors?
down regulate
up regulate
What will be the physiologic response to excessive insulin levels?
decrease the number of insulin receptors
What happens in obese people that leads to type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes?
Adipose tissue down regulates insulin receptors –> decreased insulin sensitivity