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Pancreatic Hormones Insulin Glucagon Somatostatin And Pancreatic Polypeptide |
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An informative article on: Pancreatic Hormones Insulin Glucagon Somatostatin And Pancreatic Polypeptide. The human pancreas has two functions. The first is to produce hormones that help to regulate the metabolism. The second is to produce pancreatic digestive enzymes. The hormones that are produced are insulin, glucagon and somatostatin; these hormones play a major role in balancing sugar and salt levels in the body. Another protein that is produced is pancreatic polypeptide whose main function is to regulate the secretion activities of the pancreas. Pancreatic Hormones: Insulin The pancreas produces insulin in order to regulate the blood glucose, or sugar levels. The insulin works by forcing cells of the body to absorb and process glucose in order to decrease the glucose levels in the blood. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels and the production of glucose is alternatively inhibited by low levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes results when the pancreas is unable to secrete enough insulin to balance out blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia results when the pancreas secretes too much insulin resulting in blood sugar levels that are too low. Pancreatic Hormones: Glucagon Glucagon is another hormone that is secreted by the pancreas that is involved in regulating blood sugar levels. Glucagon assists the hormone insulin in regulating blood sugar levels by forcing the cells of the body to produce glucose. A deficiency in this hormone can also contribute to a diagnosis of hypoglycemia. If there is excess production of glucagon, hyperglycemia is the disease that can result. Pancreatic Hormones: Somatostatin Somatostatin plays a role in regulating the excretion of insulin and glucagon and some other endocrine hormones. Somatostatin is secreted in response to high levels of endocrine hormones and it acts by slowing down the production of these hormones. If there are low levels of endocrine hormones present, the production of somatostatin by the pancreas is inhibited. The diseases that are currently associated with the excess production of somatostatin include diabetes, gallstones and inability to process fat in the diet. Pancreatic Polypeptide The role of pancreatic polypeptide is less certain. However studies indicate that its release is triggered by exercise, fasting and meals that are rich in protein. Pancreatic polypeptide is also inhibited by the hormone somatostatin and high levels of glucose in the blood. Evidence has also been presented that pancreatic polypeptide may play a role in obesity by regulating the appetite. Researchers have demonstrated that overweight individuals produce less pancreatic polypeptide than individuals of a healthy weight. As the weight of the individual increases the less pancreatic polypeptide is produced. Pancreatic Secretions Play an Important Role in Maintaining Equilibrium in the Body All of these hormones and polypeptides play an important role in managing blood sugar levels. As already explained, any problems with the production of these important substances will manifest in the body as diseases related to the imbalance of blood sugar and fluid imbalances. The pancreas is essentially a storage depot for all sorts of digestive enzymes and therefore any disruption to the normal processes of the pancreas can extremely dangerous and will require prompt medical attention. |