Disorders of the Pancreas The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine function. The exocrine functions of the pancreas are related to the secretion of digestive enzymes into the duodenum. The endocrine function is limited to small groups of cells scattered amongst the exocrine tissue. The groups of endocrine cells are called islets of Langerhans and are made up of alpha, beta and sigma cells.
Beta cells are the most plentiful. They secrete
, which stimulates the uptake of
glucose from the blood.
Alpha cells secrete
, the hormone responsible for stimulating the release of
glucose stores into the blood.
Sigma cells secrete somatostatin, the hormone that controls the production of and release of other hormones in the body.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine metabolic syndrome is a Type II diabetes-like syndrome that is characterized by insulin resistance. Over exposure to glucose and the excessive production of adipose tissue over many years causes the of insulin receptors in the liver, in muscle and in fat tissue. It has also been shown that there is a genetic factor in the development of EMS. Adipocytes have been shown to produce leptin & cytokines that disrupt the insulin response of cells in fat and muscle tissue preventing the uptake of glucose from the blood. Adipocytes also release other chemicals that mimic cortisol or cause the reactivation of circulating cortisol causing Cushing’s disease-like symptoms though no pituitary dysfunction exists. These two conditions result in the failure of normal insulin levels to trigger the uptake of glucose by the liver, fat and muscle tissue, resulting in . The pancreas responds to persistent hyperglycemia by producing and secreting progressively higher amounts of insulin. In other species this type of condition is known to precede Type II diabetes. Ponies, Mustangs, Morgans, Quarter Horses, Paso Fino, Peruvian Passo, geriatric animals and individuals are predisposed to developing equine metabolic syndrome. The clinical presentation of equine metabolic syndrome includes obesity, ability to maintain body weight with little feed intake, exercise intolerance, abnormal around the neck, shoulder, loin, supraorbital fossa and tail, Cushing’s-like symptoms and laminitis.
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