Medical Encyclopedia
In addition to beta cells, there are two other types of cells that produce hormones in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. They are:
Alpha cells - release the hormone glucagon, which triggers the release of glycogen form liver stores and helps to raise the level of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream; and
Delta cells - release the hormone somatostatin into the bloodstream that acts as an inhibitor to the pituitary hormone called somatotropin and helps tell the body when to make other hormones like insulin, glucagon, gastrin, renin, and secretin.
Beta Islets Cells
Beta cells are cells that are found in the pancreas, specifically in the part called islets of Langerhans. Beta cells make up approximately 65-80% of all cells in the islets of Langerhans.
Beta islet cells have several important functions:
- They make and release the hormone insulin, which helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism into the bloodstream, and controls blood sugar;
- They produce amylin, although scientists do not yet know what function this supports; and
- As a byproduct of insulin production they release C-peptide into the blood stream that can be measured in a lab test (blood draw from the vein). Testing the level of C-peptide can help determine how much insulin the pancreas is still producing.
All persons with the juvenile form of type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to live.
It is from the term "beta islet cells" that "Islets" of Hope took its name. Research has come a long way towards understanding that a cure for diabetes may lie in restoring normal beta cell function.