Neuropeptidergic versus cholinergic and adrenergic regulation of islet hormone secretion

B Ahren, GJ Taborsky Jr, D Porte Jr - Diabetologia, 1986 - Springer
B Ahren, GJ Taborsky Jr, D Porte Jr
Diabetologia, 1986Springer
The pancreatic islets are richly supplied with autonomic nerves. The fibres follow the
arterioles, penetrate the islets and terminate close to the endocrine ceils. This morphological
relationship makes it likely that the nerves are involved in the physiological regulation of islet
function. A great number of papers have been published describing the effects of electrical
stimulation of autonomic nerves and of presumed neurotransmitters and blocking agents on
islet function. During the last decade several reviews have summarized these findings and …
The pancreatic islets are richly supplied with autonomic nerves. The fibres follow the arterioles, penetrate the islets and terminate close to the endocrine ceils. This morphological relationship makes it likely that the nerves are involved in the physiological regulation of islet function. A great number of papers have been published describing the effects of electrical stimulation of autonomic nerves and of presumed neurotransmitters and blocking agents on islet function. During the last decade several reviews have summarized these findings and dealt with various aspects of neuroregulation of islet hormone secretion [1-4]. In general, these reviews have attempted to explain the effects of neural activation upon islet function in terms of the known effects of the classical adrenergic and cholinergic neural inputs to the islets. However, recent studies suggest that peptidergic input may also be important. Therefore, in this review we will highlight the new studies of the neuroregulation of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide secretion, and specifically emphasize the role of the neuropeptides, in addition to the classical neurotransmitters acetylcholine and noradrenaline, as potential mediators of these effects.
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