Endocrine Pancreas
Endocrine Pancreas - Related Videos
07:44
Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation
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Cited by 19 •
2015
This protocol describes an injury model involving the surgical ligation of the pancreatic duct in the adult mouse pancreas, resulting in severe injury that establishes an environment that allows beta cell neogenesis and proliferation. This model can be used as a tool to study mechanisms involved in beta cell formation.
10:51
A System for ex vivo Culturing of Embryonic Pancreas
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Cited by 23 •
2012
Here, we describe a method for isolation, culture and manipulation of mouse embryonic pancreas. This represents an excellent ex vivo system for studying various aspects of pancreatic development, including morphogenesis, differentiation and growth. Pancreatic bud explants can be cultured for several days and used in a range of different applications, including whole-mount immunofluorescence and live imaging.
13:19
Mouse Model for Pancreas Transplantation Using a Modified Cuff Technique
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Cited by 6 •
2017
Among abdominal solid organ transplantation, pancreatic grafts are prone to develop severe ischemia reperfusion injury-associated graft damage, leading eventually to early graft loss. This protocol describes a model of murine pancreas transplantation using a non-suture cuff technique, ideally suited for analyzing these early, deleterious damages.
04:41
Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion via Perfusion through the Mice Vasculature with an Intact Pancreas
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2025
Here, we provide details on performing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) via perfusion through the mice vasculature with an intact pancreas as an additional technique to assess the endocrine pancreatic function with reduction of possible confounders.
08:16
Generating Human Pancreatic Tissue Slices to Study Endocrine and Exocrine Pancreas Physiology
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Cited by 2 •
2024
This protocol describes how to generate human pancreas slices from deceased organ donors to study cell function under near-physiological conditions. This innovative approach enables the investigation of normal and structurally damaged islets and the intricate interplay between endocrine and exocrine compartments.
FAQs
Changing nutrient levels alters the relative activity of islet cell types, allowing hormone output to match the body's immediate metabolic state. Beta-cell insulin signaling favors glucose uptake and storage, whereas alpha-cell glucagon signaling favors glucose release. Delta-cell somatostatin adds local modulation, helping coordinate neighboring endocrine and digestive functions rather than acting as an isolated signal.
These hormones form a regulatory network rather than three independent responses. Insulin and glucagon exert opposing effects on glucose availability, while somatostatin modulates the surrounding endocrine and digestive activities. Studying their balance helps explain how the endocrine pancreas coordinates energy metabolism and why altered communication among islet cells can contribute to disrupted glucose regulation.
Endocrine pancreas signaling matters because glucose homeostasis depends on responsive communication between nutrient sensing and hormone release. Investigators therefore examine the pathways that connect changing nutrient levels with beta-, alpha-, and delta-cell activity. This focus can distinguish defects in hormone production or regulation and provides biological context for diabetes mellitus and other pancreatic disorders.
Studies of the endocrine pancreas commonly focus on how specialized islet cells respond to changing nutrient levels and how their secreted hormones affect glucose regulation. Researchers can compare beta-, alpha-, and delta-cell activity, then interpret the resulting insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin responses together. This design emphasizes coordinated endocrine function rather than a single hormone in isolation.
By examining insulin and glucagon responses alongside the modulatory role of somatostatin, researchers can investigate why glucose regulation becomes abnormal. The resulting biological picture connects islet-cell signaling with diabetes mellitus and pancreatic disorders. It also helps identify whether research should emphasize glucose handling, hormone coordination, or preservation of beta-cell function.
Knowledge of nutrient-responsive hormone release provides the biological rationale for tracking glucose changes and developing insulin therapies. Monitoring strategies can be evaluated in relation to the pancreas's role in maintaining glucose balance, while therapy research can focus on replacing or supporting insulin-related function. These applications translate endocrine-pancreas mechanisms into approaches for managing disturbed glucose regulation.
Because beta cells supply insulin needed to promote glucose uptake and storage, changes in their function directly affect energy metabolism. Research aimed at preserving or restoring these cells addresses a central control point in glucose regulation. It complements glucose-monitoring and insulin-therapy approaches by focusing on the pancreatic source of a key hormonal response.