Pancreatic Hormones

1. Pancreatic Hormones
Subramani Parasuraman, M.Pharm., Ph.D.,
Associate Professor
Faculty of Pharmacy
AIMST University, Malaysia

2. Pancreas
• The pancreas is a pale grey gland weighing about 60
grams. It is about 12–15 cm long and is situated in the
epigastric and left hypochondriac regions of the
abdominal cavity. It consists of a broad head, a body
and a narrow tail.
• The head lies in the curve of the duodenum, the body
behind the stomach and the tail lies in front of the left
kidney and just reaches the spleen.

3. Pancreas
Ref: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ap2/chapter/the-endocrine-pancreas/

4. Functions of pancreas
Ref: https://biology.reachingfordreams.com/biology/endocrine-system/14-function-of-pancreas-in-human-body
Pancreatic polypeptide
cells (PP cells)

5. Functions of pancreas
• The pancreas made up of two types of tissues that
independently function as exocrine and endocrine glands.
• Exocrine part of the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes
into the duodenum.
• Endocrine portion of the pancreas secretes glucagon and
insulin, two non-steroid protein hormones. These
hormones regulate the body’s metabolism of glucose and
other carbohydrate molecules. They are produced by the
islets of Langerhans.
Ref: https://biology.reachingfordreams.com/biology/endocrine-system/14-function-of-pancreas-in-human-body

6. Exocrine Functions
• Amylase: Secreted in
mouth and pancreas;
breaks down complex
carbohydrates.
• Lipase: Secreted in the
pancreas; breaks down fats
• Protease: Secreted in the
pancreas; breaks down
proteins.
Endocrine Functions
• Glucagon: Glucagon plays
an important role in blood
glucose regulation; low
blood glucose levels
stimulate its release.
• Insulin: Elevated blood
glucose levels stimulate the
release of insulin.
• Gastrin and amylin:
Secreted in the pancreas;
breaks down proteins

7. Islets of Langerhans
• There are three main types of cells in the pancreatic
islets:
• α (alpha) cells produces the hormone glucagon [Glucagon
increases blood glucose levels]
• β (beta) cells produces the hormone insulin [insulin
reduces blood glucose levels]
• δ (delta) cells secrete somatostatin [inhibits the secretion
of both insulin and glucagon]

8. Regulation of glucose homestasis by pancreatic hormones
Ref: Chellan N. The antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of Athrixia phylicoides aqueous extract: an in vitro and ex vivo assessment.

9. Common pancreatic problems and digestion
• Diabetes
• Type I Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)/ juvenile
onset diabetes mellitus
• Type II Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)/
maturity onset diabetes mellitus
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer