The pancreas is formed by two sections: exocrine, which occupies 98% of the gland and pancreatic - in the form of small inclusions over its entire surface.
The endocrine section is responsible for the secretion of gastric juice and control of the processes occurring in the duodenum, and also saturates the digestive fluids with enzymes. The endocrine part is responsible for the production of hormones.
Hormonal function
The pancreas produces two hormones - glucagon and insulin. Alpha cells are involved in the production of glucagon, and beta cells are involved in the production of insulin. In addition to these two types of cells, the gland also contains delta cells that produce somatostatin.
What hormones does the pancreas produce
Human insulin is divided into two types: stimulated and basal.
The basal type differs in that it enters the bloodstream when it is not needed. An example of such a selection would beinsulin when food does not enter the body, that is, on an empty stomach.
Blood glucose norms - no more than 5.5 mmol / l, while the insulin level should be 69 mmol / l. Stimulated the type is called with the help of messages that occur during food intake and the entry of amino acids and glucose into the blood. The secretory function of these hormones is attributed to the stimulating effect of drugs containing sulfonylurea.
Insulin stimulation occurs in two steps:
- Short is the release of the hormone into the blood.
- Slow is hormone synthesis.
In addition to them, various accompanying substances are also produced here, which are involved in the processes of digestion. This list reflects which enzymes the pancreas produces:
- Substances that act on proteins are trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidases A and B, elastase, ribonuclease.
- Substances capable of digesting carbohydrates: amylase, invertase, m altose, lactose.
- Substances that can break down fats. These are cholinesterase and lipase.
If the pancreas does not produce enzymes, or there is an insufficiency of them, there is a fermentopathy associated with a concomitant disease.
The role of hormones
The role of the pancreas in the production of insulin and glucagon is to regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as influence the redistribution of glucose from blood plasma to tissues.
Its main function isthe synthesis of lipocaine, which carries the task of blocking and regenerating liver cells.
In case of a critical shortage, when the pancreas produces an insufficient amount of such compounds, hormonal failure begins in the functioning of the body, which is caused not only by acquired, but also by congenital malformations.
When the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of the hormone insulin, a disease occurs - diabetes mellitus. With an extreme excess of insulin, the content of glucagon increases and the concentration of sugar in blood cells decreases, which, in turn, increases the amount of adrenaline. Then hypoglycemia occurs - this is a decrease in the ability of liver cells to process glucose.
The absence or extreme lack of somatostatin leads to disturbances in various processes of the body's activity with a violation of the balance of metabolic processes.
How insulin is made
On what hormones the pancreas produces, the implementation of fat metabolism throughout the body is built.
Even before the formation of insulin, during its synthesis in beta cells, the substance proinsulin is released. By itself, it is not a hormone. The process of its transformation occurs under the action of the Golgi complex, as well as the presence of special enzymatic compounds. After the process of its degeneration in the cell structure, it will turn into insulin. Then it is re-absorbed back where it is exposedgranulation and sent to storage, from where it will be removed in case of urgent need when signals are given by the body.
This system is triggered by an increase in blood sugar levels, when cells release stored insulin to neutralize it and properly convert it into glycogen, increasing its concentration in liver cells in muscle tissue, being an energy supplier for the whole body. Thanks to the action of insulin, blood sugar levels can quickly return to normal.
When detecting high levels of its content in the blood, this should be regarded as a signal that the body does not resist the increased release of this hormone, which is associated with the inability of the receptors responsible for carbohydrate metabolism to recognize and eliminate such a danger. As a result, a disease called diabetes begins to develop. The consequence is that carbohydrates entering the body are not processed and absorbed, which is why blood tests show high blood sugar.
Signs of the appearance of such diseases without testing is increased thirst, which is associated with the ability of glucose to absorb moisture. So, not neutralized in the blood, it causes dehydration.
What determines the release of insulin
The pancreas produces enzymes and hormones, quite subtly feeling the slightest changes in blood sugar. Due to this, it gives signals to the body to startthe formation of an increased amount of insulin or the need to reduce it and send it to the reserve.
When diabetes occurs, the islets of the endocrine part of the gland undergo changes and disturbances in their functions. In this regard, for diabetics there is a list of products that are contraindicated for consumption precisely due to the high sugar content that the body is not able to cope with. These are pastries and sweets, honey, carbohydrate products, as well as pure sugar. An excess of sugar in the blood leads to the extreme depletion of beta cells responsible for the synthesis of insulin, and can lead to their absolute death.
Glucagon
The pancreas produces glucagon in alpha cells. The intestinal mucosa produces the hormone interaglucogon, which is also a synergist of adrenaline. This pancreatic hormone is responsible for controlling the course of lipolysis and its rate, and also has a direct effect on glycogenolysis in the liver.
The main important function of the pancreas in the human body is the secretion of various hormones that promote the digestion of food and its absorption.
