The Islets of Langerhans: Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathology reviews the state of knowledge in the complex phenomena involved in the functioning of the multiendocrine organ, the islet of Langerhans, and the various influences that can lead to its abnormal functioning. The volume highlights major gaps in knowledge and indicates the directions for research on the major functioning of this organ and the defects leading to its major pathology, diabetes mellitus. The book is organized into three parts. Part I provides the necessary background information on the nature and development of the islet of Langerhans. It includes studies on the evolution of knowledge of the ever-increasing number of cell types found in islet tissue; and fetal development of the functional capacities of the islet cells. Part II is devoted to the synthesis and secretion of islet hormones, beginning with a chapter on the membrane transport systems of islet tissue as a prelude to subsequent examination of their role in the regulation of these processes. Part III examines the effects of deleterious conditions and agents on the morphology and function of islet cells. This book is intended for researchers in endocrinology, particularly those interested in pancreatic hormones, graduate students in endocrinology, and medical endocrinologists interested in diabetes. It will also be useful to physiologists and biochemists studying peptide synthesis and secretion.

A version of the OpenStax text

As far as we are aware, this is the first attempt to cover the com parative physiology of the pancreatic islets in a monograph. The topics discussed would probably have sufficed to fill about half a dozen monographs, a matter that becomes obvious from a look at the Contents. Hence, we have tried to present the ma terial more in the form of a digest, to emphasize evolutionary perspectives, to point out critical issues, and to identify challenging topics for future research. This approach required an arbitrary reduction of the num ber of references, and we therefore join the chorus of recent authors who beg their colleagues for understanding if some of their publications do not appear in the bibliography. Keeping up with the current literature was like fighting one of those monsters that grow a couple of new heads for each one that is cut off. Nevertheless, we hope that we have covered most of the key publications up to the autumn of 1986. We gratefully acknowledge the advice of many colleagues, and in particular the invaluable criticisms of Robert L. Hazelwood and Erika Plisetskaya. Special thanks are due to the series editor, Donald S. Farner, for his patience and guidance, both of which were fresh proof of his legendary diplomatic skills. Finally, we wish to thank Dr. D. Czeschlik and his staff at the Springer Verlag for their patience and support. Philadelphia, PA AUGUST EpPLE Greenville, NC JACK E. BRINN September 1987 v Contents Chapter 1. Introduction .......................... .

Proceedings of the First International Meeting of the Pancreatic Islet Study Group held in the Alicante, Spain, November 25-28 1994

The secretions of the exocrine pancreas provide for digestion of a meal into components that are then available for processing and absorption by the intestinal epithelium. Without the exocrine pancreas, malabsorption and malnutrition result. This chapter describes the cellular participants responsible for the secretion of digestive enzymes and fluid that in combination provide a pancreatic secretion that accomplishes the digestive functions of the gland. Key cellular participants, the acinar cell and the duct cell, are responsible for digestive enzyme and fluid secretion, respectively, of the exocrine pancreas. This chapter describes the neurohumoral pathways that mediate the pancreatic response to a meal as well as details of the cellular mechanisms that are necessary for the organ responses, including protein synthesis and transport and ion transports, and the regulation of these responses by intracellular signaling systems. Examples of pancreatic diseases resulting from dysfunction in cellular mechanisms provide emphasis of the importance of the normal physiologic mechanisms.