Pancreatic Cells

Pancreatic cells are the cells that make up the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that plays two important roles in the body: it produces digestive enzymes to break down food, and it produces hormones like insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels. is

Pancreas Anatomy.

Therefore, the pancreas performs both endocrine and exocrine functions. The majority of the pancreas consists of exocrine cells called pancreatic acinar cells that are responsible for the production of digestive enzymes.

The endocrine component is made up of pancreatic islet cells that produce and release hormones necessary to regulate glucose metabolism.

Pancreatic cell types
Two main types of pancreatic cells make up the pancreas:

1. Acinar cells
   Acinar cells are cells of the pancreas that are involved in the exocrine function of the pancreas. These are the secretory cells that make up the majority of the pancreas. They produce and release digestive enzymes into the pancreatic duct, which is attached to the duodenum. Digestive enzymes produced by acinar cells are necessary to break down food into simpler forms. The pancreas secretes various enzymes, including proteolytic enzymes, lipolytic enzymes and amylase.

Pancreatic cell types

2. Pancreatic islet cells (Islets of Langerhans)
   Pancreatic islet cells (islets of Langerhans) are clusters of cells found scattered throughout the pancreas that perform endocrine functions. They are responsible for making and releasing hormones that regulate glucose levels. These islets are composed of different types of endocrine cells, including beta (β), alpha (α), delta (δ), gamma (γ), and epsilon (ϵ) cells, each of which secretes different hormones such as insulin. , produces glucagon, somatostatin. Pancreatic polypeptide and ghrelin respectively.

Beta cells are the most common type of islet cells. They produce insulin that helps regulate glucose levels. Beta cells make up about 70% of the total islet cells and are centrally located in the islet.
Alpha cells produce glucagon which increases blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose. This process occurs when blood glucose levels are low, such as during fasting.
Delta cells produce somatostatin which regulates the release of both insulin and glucagon, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Delta cells make up about 3–10% of islet cells and are scattered throughout the islet.
Gamma cells, also called PP cells (pancreatic polypeptide cells), are cells that produce pancreatic polypeptide, which helps regulate the secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas.
Epsilon cells are the least common type of islet cell and represent less than 1% of total islet cells. These cells produce a hormone called ghrelin, which stimulates appetite. Ghrelin levels increase before a meal and decrease after a meal, helping to control appetite.

Anatomy and structure of pancreatic cells
The pancreas is located behind the stomach and between the duodenum on the right and the spleen on the left. Anatomically, the pancreas is divided into the head, body, and tail regions.
The pancreas is primarily composed of networks of tubes that include the main pancreatic duct and other accessory ducts. The pancreatic duct secretes substances into the duodenum.
The pancreas consists of two main cell types: exocrine cells and endocrine cells. The majority of the pancreas is made up of the exocrine portion.
The exocrine part of the pancreas makes up about 98% of the pancreas. Acinar cells are the primary exocrine cells of the pancreas. These are pyramid-shaped cells that produce digestive enzymes. They have abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus indicating their active secretory function. These cells contain dense zymogen granules in the apical region, where digestive enzymes are stored and released. They have a broad base and a narrow apical surface that encloses a small central lumen, which is connected by a system of ducts leading to the pancreatic duct.
The endocrine portion makes up about 2% of the pancreas. Within the exocrine tissue, there are small clusters of endocrine cells called pancreatic islets that are scattered throughout the pancreas. They contain different types of endocrine cells, including α, β, δ, ε, and PP cells. These islands appear as large, yellow-spotted clusters surrounded by eccrine tissue. They secrete hormones such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide, which are essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. These islands are surrounded by a sheet of reticular fibers.
Functions of Pancreatic Cells
Pancreatic cells perform two main functions in the body: endocrine and exocrine. Endocrine function is performed by islet cells while exocrine function is performed by acinar cells.

Acinar cells are involved in the exocrine function of the pancreas. They produce and release digestive enzymes necessary to break down complex food molecules into simpler forms.
Beta cells produce and secrete insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels by promoting the release of glucose. It lowers blood glucose levels after eating. These cells also prevent the liver from releasing glucose, promote the release of amino acids for protein synthesis, and inhibit the breakdown of fat.

• Alpha cells produce the hormone glucagon that increases blood sugar levels by promoting the release of glucose from storage sites like the liver. Glucagon works opposite to insulin. It increases blood glucose levels during fasting or low blood sugar conditions.
• Delta cells produce and release somatostatin that acts as an inhibitor and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucagon. This helps maintain stable blood sugar levels by regulating the release of these hormones. 
• Gamma cells produce pancreatic polypeptide that regulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. 
• Epsilon cells produce and secrete the hormone ghrelin that stimulates hunger and regulates food intake.