Studies of the physiology and pathophysiology of the pancreatic D cell

Volker Schusdziarra, Eli Ipp, Virginia Harris, Richard E. Dobbs, Philip Raskin, Lelio Orci, Roger H Unger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recent discovery by Luft and associates1 and by Dubois2 of somatostatin-containing islet cells, subsequently identified as D cells, 3-6 has aroused speculation concerning their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles. The ability of somatostatin to inhibit insulin and glucagon secretion has suggested that the function of the D cell may be to restrain the secretory activity of its neighboring cells, perhaps via local or paracrine action. 7-10 The possibility that pancreatic somatostatin is a hormone secreted into the circulation to act upon remote target tissues has received little attention. The present communication will review ongoing studies in our laboratories that point to an endocrine role for somatostatin in nutrient homeostasis and suggest that D cell function may be abnormal in certain forms of diabetes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1227-1232
Number of pages6
JournalMetabolism
Volume27
Issue number9 SUPPL. 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1978

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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