Professional Documents
Culture Documents
• Promotes
– Transport of amino acids
– Protein synthesis
– Gene transcription
Control Muscle
Glucose uptake
Glycogen synthesis
Gastrointestinal
hormones
Adipose triglycerides
Glucose uptake
Glycerol production
Triglyceride breakdown
Amino
Pancreas Insulin Triglyceride synthesis
acids
Beta cells
Liver
Blood Glucose uptake glucose
glucose Glycogen synthesis
Fatty acid synthesis
Glucose synthesis
Brain
No effect
Feedback
Effects of Glucagon
• Prevents hypoglycemia
– Powerful system to degrade glycogen
– Increases glucose synthesis from amino
acids
• Increases with exercise independent of
blood glucose
• Exerts effects through cAMP second
messenger system
1) β – adrenergic
stimulation
2) glucagon
Glucagon
Control
Adipose
Triglyceride breakdown Fatty acids
Triglyceride storage
Exercise
Amino acids
Pancreas
Alpha cells Liver
Glycogen breakdown
Glucose synthesis Blood glucose
Epinephrine
Glucose release
(stress)
Brain
No effect
Feedback
Importance of Glucose Regulation
• Type II
– Non-insulin dependent
– Results from insulin insensitivity
– Elevated insulin levels
– Associated with obesity
– Can lead to insulin dependent form
– Treated with weight loss, diet restriction,
exercise and drugs
Diabetes
• 143 million suffer worldwide (W.H.O.)
– Expected to double by 2025
– Costs $143B annually
• Treatment with insulin is not optimal
– Does not mimic normal control system
– Associated with serious health risks
• Direct transplantation has not proven feasible
– Immunosuppression causes problems
• Use of semi permeable encapsulation may be possible
– Must optimize for nutrient exchange but immune isolation
– Biocompatible and structurally sound
– Prevent allergic responses
– Must provide glucose control
• Other options may be effective (e.g., gene therapy)
Microencapsulation Approach