Week 14 Diabetes Flashcards
(123 cards)
Early manifestations of hypoglycemia
- palpitations, tachycardia
- diaphoresis, anxiety
- weakness, hunger, nausea
diaphoresis
profuse perspiration
Manifestations of prolonged/severe hypoglycemia
- hypothermia
- confusion, hallucinations
- seizure, coma
hyperglycemia: early and later manifestations
Early:
- polydipsia, polyuria
- altered vision
- weight loss, mild dehydration
Late:
- cardiac arrhythmias
- coma
Location of the pancreas
behind the stomach between the spleen & the duodenum
Functions of the pancreas
Mostly exocrine: pancreatic juice contains enzymes for protein digestion 1-3% is islets - endocrine - insulin/glucagon secretion from islets of langerhans scattered throughout exocrine pancreas
Beta Cells
Secrete insulin. 65-80% of islet endocrine cells
Alpha cells
Secrete glucagon; 15-20% of the total islet;
Delta cells
Secrete somatostatin; 3-10% of islet endocrine ;
Role of somatostatin
inhibits both insulin & glucagon
pancreatic polypeptide cells
PP cells; secrete pancreatic polypeptide 3-5% of islet endocrine cells; Reduces appetite and food intake, thus regulating blood sugar.
Parasympathetic innervation of pancreatic islets
Parasympathetic innervation via Vagus nerve; Primary NT is ACh –> stimulates insulin release
Sympathetic innervation of pancreatic islets
Postganglionic fibres of the celiac ganglion; Primary NT is NE –> inhibits insulin secretion
Insulin synthesis and structure
Insulin is synthesized as proinsulin - mainly in the beta cells, but also in the brain. It is synthesized in RER, processed in golgi and then stored in secretory granules for hours or days before secretion. Proinsulin has A and B chain linked by disulphide bonds with a C peptide.
Regulation of insulin secretion
- Glucose is the major stimulator
- there are also neural, hormonal, and nutrient stimulants, but these are also considered glucose-dependent in order to protect agains inappropriate stimulation of insulin and hypoglycemia.
Key hormones that stimulate release of insulin
GIP GLP-1 Glucagon (sounds paradoxical, but it does)
glucotoxicity & lipotoxicity
prolonged glucose and free fatty acid exposure may cause apoptosis of B cells
Mechanism of insulin release from the B cell
- Glucose enters through a GLUT2 channel
- Glucokinase cleaves glucose to G6P
- G6P inhibits an ATP-dependent K+ channel, which stimulates influx of Ca2+ through a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel
- Influx of Ca2+ stimulates exocytosis of granules containing proinsulin.
Biological actions of insulin (conceptually)
- anabolic; promotes energy storage
- Targets muscle, fat, and liver
- critical role in growth and development
Action of insulin on muscle and adipocytes
- Insulin binds receptor on muscle cells and adipocytes
- Signalling pathway stimulates translocation of vesicles with GLUT 4 transporters to cell surface
- Glucose enters cells
Outcomes of insulin in adipose tissue
Lipogenesis (decreased lipolysis)
Outcomes of insulin in striated muscle
Glycogen and protein synthesis
Outcomes of insulin in the liver
Glycogen synthesis;
Lipogenesis (decreased gluconeogenesis)
The insulin receptor
A tyrosin kinase; 2 alpha subunits and 2 beta subunits.






