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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
12:33
A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination
Published on: June 25, 2014
Blood glucose control by direct islet innervation
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|January 1, 1976
Summary
The autonomic nervous system dual-regulates blood glucose. Sympathetic nerves increase glucose during stress, while parasympathetic nerves help maintain glucose balance.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Elevated plasma glucose is common during stress.
- Increased plasma glucagon is a key contributor to stress-induced hyperglycemia.
- The rapid glucagon response to stress suggests a neural mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating pancreatic islet function.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which sympathetic and parasympathetic systems influence glucagon and insulin secretion.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy to visualize pancreatic islet innervation.
- Splanchnic nerve stimulation in animal models.
- Assessment of glucagon and insulin release.
- Evaluation of glucagon response to hypoglycemia after vagotomy in humans.
Main Results:
- Pancreatic alpha and beta cells possess both adrenergic and cholinergic innervation.
- Splanchnic nerve stimulation induced significant glucagon release and insulin inhibition in animals.
- The parasympathetic system significantly controls glucagon response to hypoglycemia, which is attenuated by vagotomy in humans.
Conclusions:
- The autonomic nervous system exerts a dual influence on pancreatic islet function.
- Sympathetic innervation elevates glucose during stress via glucagon release.
- Parasympathetic innervation aids glucose homeostasis, particularly in response to hypoglycemia.
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