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Related Concept Videos

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

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The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...
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Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

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Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
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Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

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The pancreas, a vital organ within the abdominal cavity, plays dual roles in the digestive and endocrine systems, collaborating with exocrine and endocrine cells to maintain optimal digestion and blood sugar levels.
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
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Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

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Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
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Feedback Loops01:01

Feedback Loops

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In most cases, excessive hormone production is prevented by negative feedback—a loop that starts with a stimulus inducing the release of a particular substance, like a hormone, to maintain a certain level before triggering a signal that results in a decrease in further release of the hormone.
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Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

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Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
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Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
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Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets

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Alpha cell regulation of beta cell function.

Tilo Moede1, Ingo B Leibiger2, Per-Olof Berggren2

  • 1The Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Sjukhuset L1:03, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden. tilo.moede@ki.se.

Diabetologia
|September 7, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Alpha cells in the pancreas regulate beta cell function through secreted factors like glucagon, impacting blood glucose homeostasis. This review explores these interactions and potential in vivo imaging for human islet studies.

Keywords:
AcetylcholineAlpha cellBeta cellGLP-1GlucagonHumanIsletsMouseParacrine interactionReview

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Research

Background:

  • The islet of Langerhans contains alpha and beta cells crucial for blood glucose homeostasis.
  • Beta cells secrete insulin (lowers glucose), while alpha cells secrete glucagon (raises glucose).
  • These cells interact paracrinely, influencing each other's function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on alpha cell regulation of beta cell function.
  • To focus on alpha cell-secreted factors like glucagon and acetylcholine.
  • To discuss species-specific islet architecture and its impact on cell interplay.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research.
  • Analysis of paracrine signaling within pancreatic islets.
  • Discussion of comparative islet architecture across species.
  • Exploration of in vivo imaging techniques.

Main Results:

  • Alpha cells release factors that stimulate beta cell function and insulin secretion.
  • Beta cell products can inhibit alpha cell function.
  • Islet architecture varies significantly between species, affecting cell interactions.
  • In vivo imaging offers potential for studying human alpha-beta cell interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Alpha cells play a significant stimulatory role in regulating beta cell function.
  • Understanding these paracrine interactions is key to managing glucose homeostasis.
  • In vivo imaging presents a promising future direction for studying human islet biology.