Epsilon cell: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:22, 27 December 2024

Epsilon cells are a type of endocrine cell found in the pancreatic islets of the pancreas. These cells are primarily responsible for the production and secretion of the hormone ghrelin, which plays a significant role in regulating appetite and energy balance.

Function[edit]

Epsilon cells secrete ghrelin, often referred to as the "hunger hormone." Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that stimulates appetite, increases food intake, and promotes fat storage. It is also involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism and has effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Location[edit]

Epsilon cells are located within the pancreatic islets, also known as the islets of Langerhans. These islets are clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas that also contain other cell types such as alpha cells, beta cells, delta cells, and PP cells.

Clinical significance[edit]

The role of epsilon cells and ghrelin in metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes is an area of active research. Alterations in ghrelin levels have been associated with eating disorders and weight regulation issues.

References[edit]

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-'''Epsilon cells''' are a type of cell found in the [[pancreas]]. They are one of the five types of cells in the [[Islets of Langerhans]], the endocrine part of the pancreas. The other four types of cells are [[alpha cells]], [[beta cells]], [[delta cells]], and [[PP cells]].
+{{Infobox cell type
+| name = Epsilon cell
+| image = <!-- Image removed -->
+| caption = <!-- Caption removed -->
+| function = Secretion of [[ghrelin]]
+| location = [[Pancreatic islets]]
+}}
+'''Epsilon cells''' are a type of [[endocrine cell]] found in the [[pancreatic islets]] of the [[pancreas]]. These cells are primarily responsible for the production and secretion of the hormone [[ghrelin]], which plays a significant role in regulating [[appetite]] and [[energy balance]].
 == Function ==
-Epsilon cells are responsible for the production of [[ghrelin]], a hormone that stimulates hunger. Ghrelin is the only known hormone that increases food intake and is considered an important factor in the regulation of [[energy homeostasis]].
+Epsilon cells secrete [[ghrelin]], often referred to as the "hunger hormone." Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that stimulates [[appetite]], increases [[food intake]], and promotes [[fat storage]]. It is also involved in the regulation of [[glucose metabolism]] and has effects on the [[gastrointestinal tract]].
 == Location ==
-Epsilon cells are scattered throughout the Islets of Langerhans, but they are less numerous than the other types of cells. They are often found in close proximity to [[blood vessels]], which allows the ghrelin they produce to be quickly transported to the rest of the body.
+Epsilon cells are located within the [[pancreatic islets]], also known as the [[islets of Langerhans]]. These islets are clusters of [[endocrine cells]] in the pancreas that also contain other cell types such as [[alpha cells]], [[beta cells]], [[delta cells]], and [[PP cells]].
-== Development ==
-Epsilon cells develop from the same [[precursor cells]] as the other types of cells in the Islets of Langerhans. The development of these cells is regulated by a complex network of [[transcription factors]], including [[Pdx1]], [[Ngn3]], and [[MafA]].
 == Clinical significance ==
-Abnormalities in the function of epsilon cells can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, overproduction of ghrelin can lead to [[obesity]], while underproduction can lead to [[anorexia nervosa]]. In addition, some studies have suggested that epsilon cells may play a role in the development of [[type 2 diabetes]].
+The role of epsilon cells and ghrelin in [[metabolic disorders]] such as [[obesity]] and [[type 2 diabetes]] is an area of active research. Alterations in ghrelin levels have been associated with [[eating disorders]] and [[weight regulation]] issues.
-[[File:Pancreatic islets en.svg|thumb|right|250px|The pancreatic islets are clusters of cells in the pancreas. Epsilon cells are one of the five types of cells in the islets.]]
 == See also ==
-* [[Pancreas]]
+* [[Pancreatic islets]]
-* [[Islets of Langerhans]]
+* [[Endocrine system]]
 * [[Ghrelin]]
-* [[Endocrine system]]
+* [[Appetite regulation]]
 == References ==
 <references />
-[[Category:Endocrine system]]
+{{Endocrine system}}
-[[Category:Cell biology]]
+{{Pancreas}}
-[[Category:Anatomy of the pancreas]]
-{{anatomy-stub}}
+[[Category:Endocrine cells]]
+[[Category:Pancreas]]
+[[Category:Hormones]]