Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Hyperglycemic Clamp and Hypoglycemic Clamp in Conscious Mice
Published on: January 26, 2024
PACAP in the glucose and energy homeostasis: physiological role and therapeutic potential
Masanori Nakata1, Toshihiko Yada
1Department of Physiology, Division of Integrative Physiology, Jichi Medical University, School of Medicine, Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
Abstract:
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a ubiquitous neuropeptide in the central and peripheral nervous systems. PACAP is also produced by pancreatic islet cells. PACAP regulates the glucose and energy metabolism at multiple processes in several tissues. At postprandial states, PACAP potentiates both insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells and insulin action in adipocytes, contributing to energy storage. At fasting states, PACAP on the one hand promotes feeding behavior by activating neuropeptide Y neurons in the hypothalamic feeding center, arcuate nucleus, and on the other hand stimulates secretion of catecholamine and glucagon and thereby induces lipolysis in adipocytes and glucose output from liver. Thus, PACAP plays an integrative role in the glucose and energy homeostasis. Dysfunction of expression, secretion and/or action of PACAP might be involved in the type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. PACAP receptor subtype-specific agonists and/or antagonists are hopeful therapeutic agents.
Related Concept Videos
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

