Transcript Control of blood sugar levels

Control of
blood sugar
levels
By: Jake Baird and Nick
Mulligan
What is insulin
 Insulin
is a hormone. It makes our body's
cells absorb glucose from the blood. The
glucose is stored in the liver and muscle as
glycogen and stops the body from using
fat as a source of energy.
What is Glucagon

Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone that is
produced in the pancreas. The main function of
glucagon is to react to a situation where there is a
low level of Blood sugar present. The release of
glucagon into the bloodstream helps to restore
blood glucose levels back to a point that is
considered acceptable for the general function of
the body.
The sources of these hormones
 your
pancreas, a small gland that sits just
behind your stomach. The pancreas
contains small clusters of cells known as
the Islet of Langerhans, and these cells in
turn contain cells that produce hormones.
Alpha cells produce glucagon and beta
cells produce insulin.
What triggers their release

Insulin is secreted in primarily in response to elevated blood
concentrations of glucose. Thus insulin is secreted as the body
detects high blood glucose and helps regulate the levels of
glucose. There are some other stimuli like sight and taste of
food, increased blood levels of amino acids and fatty acids
that may also promote the release of Insulin.

Glucagon’s effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood
glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood
sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon cause the liver to convert
stored glycogen into glucose, which releases into the
bloodstream.
The specific effects each has


Insulin - In addition to insulin's effect on entry
of glucose into cells, it also stimulates the
uptake of amino acids, again contributing to
its overall anabolic effect. When insulin levels
are low, as in the fasting state, the balance is
pushed toward intracellular protein
degradation
Glucagon - Glucagon stimulates breakdown
of glycogen stored in the liver and Glucagon
activates hepatic gluconeogenesis.
Hepatic Gluconeogenesis
 Gluconeogenesis
is the pathway by which
non-hexose substrates such as amino
acids are converted to glucose
The NEGATIVE feedback cycle
Why is it a negative feedback
cycle
 It
is negative because it is repressing the
blood sugar levels back to an acceptable
range.
Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which your body is not able to
control the amount (or level) of glucose (sugar) in the
blood. This may happen because:

your pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin
your pancreas produces insulin but not enough
your body resists the action of insulin



When your blood glucose level remains high for long
periods of time, damage can be done to your heart,
your eyes, and your kidneys.
Type 1

Type 1 is not the most common type of diabetes, and affects less than 1
in 5 people with diabetes. It is sometimes referred to as juvenile onset
diabetes–mostly because it is generally diagnosed in childhood–but this
term is outdated.

No one knows what causes type 1 diabetes. It is possible that our bodies’
immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, but this is not clear.
What is clear is that type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.

When you eat or drink something, glucose– which is our main source of
energy–enters the bloodstream, causing a rise in blood glucose levels. In
type 1 diabetes, because the body is unable to produce insulin, body
cells can’t take in any glucose, so your body doesn’t get the energy it
needs.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be treated with insulin.
Insulin is not available as a tablet or pill, and needs to be injected into
the body
Type 2

Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in people over the age of
40, but recently it’s being diagnosed more often in teenagers
and children, especially those who do not lead an active
lifestyle and/or are overweight.

with type 2 diabetes, it is important to understand that your
body is still producing insulin–but it is not producing enough, or
it may be resisting what insulin does for you. This means that
your blood glucose levels continue to rise and your body’s cells
don’t receive enough glucose.
Gestational Diabetes

This form of diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy. As your
baby develops inside you, an increase in the hormones that
your body produces increases the need for insulin. If you are
unable to produce this additional insulin, your blood glucose
level will rise.

This is not the same as other kinds of diabetes. It usually
disappears once you give birth, although there is the possibility
that you will develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes while you are
pregnant.

occurs more often in women who are overweight before they
become pregnant and in women who are over 35 years of
age.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Importance of Blood Glucose
Homeostasis

Maintaining blood glucose within the normal
range is referred to as glucose homeostasis. Your
brain and nervous system depend solely on
glucose for fuel and require a steady supply of
glucose at all times. It is critical that your blood
glucose concentration remains within the range of
70 to 110 mg/dL to supply your brain and nervous
system with adequate fuel. Low blood glucose
can lead to symptoms such as dizziness or lack of
concentration, whereas, over time, high blood
glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves.
Overview
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlHe
z8gwMgw
Questions
 Is
diabetes curable?
 Where are insulin and glucagon created?
 What is one of the roles of the pancreas?
 Why is the control of blood glucose a
negative feedback cycle?
 What is the difference between insulin
and glucagon?
 Why does Gestational Diabetes occur?