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Endocrine Abstracts (2023) 94 MTE1.1 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.94.MTE1.1

SFEBES2023 Meet The Expert Sessions Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes (1 abstracts)

The "other" islet cells - state of the art for endocrinologists

Patrik Rorsman


University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom


The islets of Langerhans are the small endocrine micro-organs embedded in the exocrine pancreas. The beta-cells of the islets secrete insulin with its well-known blood glucose-lowering effects and that becomes deficient in diabetes. The islets also secrete glucagon (from alpha-cells), the body’s principal blood glucose-increasing hormone. The release of glucagon also becomes impaired in diabetes, which contributes to the metabolic impact of the lack of insulin and complicates therapy. However, compared to the beta-cells, the alpha-cells have received very little attention. My talk will highlight the role of a third islet cell – the delta cell that secretes somatostatin. Although the delta-cells only comprise a few per cent of the islet number, they influence the function of most of the other islet cells via their long neurone-like extensions. Our studies have revealed a complex crosstalk between the different islet cells, which is required for normal physiological regulation of islet hormone release, how it becomes disrupted in diabetes and the potential therapeutic opportunities.

Volume 94

Society for Endocrinology BES 2023

Glasgow, UK
13 Nov 2023 - 15 Nov 2023

Society for Endocrinology 

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