Alpha cells

Derynck, R. (1988). Transforming growth factor alpha. Cell 54, 593-595. 

Gluc on, secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans, is the main catabolic hormone. 

The answer is D. This student is still in the fed or absorptive state within 1 hour of a meal, so elevated levels of many nutrients derived from food digestion would be observed in her blood. This would include all items in the list except glucagon. High nutrient levels in the blood evoke increased insulin secretion from the beta cells and suppression of glucagon secretion by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. Therefore, blood levels of glucagon would be decreased relative to other nutritional states. 

Long-term administration of sulfonylureas to type 2 diabetics reduces serum glucagon levels, which may contribute to the hypoglycemic effect of the drugs. The mechanism for this suppressive effect of sulfonylureas on glucagon levels is unclear but appears to involve indirect inhibition due to enhanced release of both insulin and somatostatin, which inhibit alpha-cell secretion. 

Dunning BE et al Alpha cell function in health and disease Influence of glucagon-like peptide-1. Diabetologia 2005 48 1700. [PMID 16132964]... 

Many mediators of inflammation have been identified— cytokines IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha cell adhesion molecules intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-I), P-selectin and acute phase reactants CR.R fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, and soluble CD40 (Fig. I) (3). Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme secreted from monocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. A single measurement taken from patient with chest pain in the emergency department predicted the early risk of myocardial infarction and the risk of major cardiac of ends in the next 30 days to six months (15). 

Halpern MD, Kurlander RJ, Pisetsky DS. Bacterial DNA induces murine interferon-gamma production by stimulation of interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Cell Immunol 1996 167 72-8. 

Previous experience in the production of plutonium 238 revealed the need for the double alpha containment of the cells where the alpha-emitter isotopes with high specific activity are handled. Thus all the hot cells are equipped with a double ventilation system which provides ventilation of alpha-cells and ventilation between alpha-cells and biological shields. Alpha detectors continuously monitor the exhaust circuits. 

Storage tanks. The total capacity of the storage tanks of each hot cell is given in Table III. The process tanks are double-jacketed for all the hot cells except Candide. This cell, designed initially for non-aqueous investigations, has small storage tanks placed directly on the alpha-cell work level. 

Q13 The pancreas produces hormones in areas of endocrine tissue the islets of Langerhans. The major hormones are insulin, from the beta-cells (/0-cells), and glucagon, from alpha-cells (a-cells). Delta cells produce somatostatin. 

Glucagon, which is produced in the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans, is used in diabetes mellitus type 1 to stimulate glucose output from the liver during hypoglycemia (1 mg subcutaneously, repeated once or twice) when glucose cannot be given intravenously. In some countries... 

Wassle H, Peichl L, Boycott BB. 1981b. Morphology and topography of on- and off-alpha cells in the cat retina. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 212 157-175. 

Expression of Kd -Cl- cotransporters in the [alpha]-cells of rat endocrine pancreas. Biochim Biophys Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes 1667 7-14. 

Glucagon release from pancreatic alpha cells... 

Schmid KW, Brink M, Freytag G, et al. Expression of chromogranin A and B and secretoneurin immunoreactivity in neoplastic and nonneoplastic pancreatic alpha cells. Virchows Arch. 1994 425 127-132. 

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