How Does the Pancreas Secrete Insulin?
When the blood sugar concentration is higher than 100 to 120 mg/dL, the pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin is a hypoglycemic hormone in the body that can help us reduce blood sugar and also assist in regulating protein and fat metabolism. If insulin secretion is too low, it may lead to an increase in blood sugar.
After oral or intravenous injection of glucose, insulin release exhibits a biphasic response. In the early rapid phase, insulin in portal vein plasma reaches its peak within 2 minutes and then rapidly decreases. In the delayed slow phase, plasma insulin levels gradually increase after 10 minutes.
Islets are mainly composed of four types of cells: A cells, B cells, D cells, and PP cells. A cells secrete glucagon to raise blood sugar levels; B cells secrete insulin to lower blood sugar; D cells secrete somatostatin to inhibit the secretion of A and B cells in a paracrine manner; and PP cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide to inhibit gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic juice secretion, and gallbladder contraction.