Question

Describe the physiology of the pancreas with respect to the three types of cells. Discuss this relationship to the endocrinology of blood sugar and homeostasis. What is ketosis? Discuss the cause, symptomology and prevention of ketosis.  

Answer 1

PHYSIOLOGY OF PANCREAS:

Interestingly, Pancreas is a composite gland which acts as both exocrine and endocrine gland.

Pancreatic acini is the major part of the pancreas (about 95-98%) is meant for exocrine function and Islets of langerhans is the minor part of the pancreas (about 1-2%) is meant for endocrine function.

EXOCRINE FUNCTION:

Pancreatic acini secretes pancreatic juice which consists of enzymes that are important for digestion.The enzymes include trypsin, chymotrypsin (proteolytic), amylase (to digest sugars), pancreatic lipase (lipolytic).

ENDOCRINE FUNCTION:

Islets of langerhans consists of three types of cells i.e., alpha cells, beta cells, delta cells.

These three type of cells of pancreatic islets secretes hormones as per the reqiurement and helps the body to maintain its blood glucose levels and thus homeostasis.

HOMEOSTASIS:

• When the blood glucose level increases abnormally, beta cells of islets secretes insulin, which promotes glucose utilization by liver, muscle, fat cells and thus regulates blood glucose.
• When the blood glucose level decreases abnormally, alpha cells of islets secretes glucagon, which promotes breakdown of glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis) amd thus regulates blood glucose level.
• The delta cells of islets secrete somatostatin which stimulates the release of insulin and glucagon.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​KETOSIS:

The metabolic condition with raised levels of ketones or ketone bodies in the blood and body tissues is referred to as ketosis.

Whenever the body faces less glucose level it promotes fatty acid oxidation and thus production of ketones.

Causes of ketosis:

• Lack of insulin (especially as incase of diabetic patients)
• nutritional diets lacking glucose content.

​​​​​​​Symptoms:

• constipation
• weight loss
• Ketones in urine
• Loss of appetite
• Halitosis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Fatigue etc.

​​​​​​​Prevention:

• Ketosis can be prevented by following balanced diet with nutritional value.
• It can be prevented by insulin administration in case of diabetic.
• Control and regulation of blood sugar level can help in preventing ketosis.