Table 1.

Pancreatic cell populations and functions.

Cell	Secretion	Target	Function
ENDOCRINE CELLS OF THE PANCREASES
A α (alpha)	Glucagon	Liver	Increases plasma glucose
	Glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1) and (GLP-2)	Pancreas	Increases insulin secretion and sensitivity. It decreases glucagon secretion
B (Beta)	Insulin	All sites	Decreases plasma glucose
	Amylin or Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP)	Pancreas	Decreases Pancreatic enzymes
		Gut	Decreases gastric emptying
D δ (Delta)	Somatostatin	Pancreas	Inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion
F PP	Pancreatic polypeptide	Pancreas	Regulates secretion
(ε) Epsilon	Ghrelin (AG). Unacylated Ghrelin (UAG)	Pancreas	Inhibits insulin release and increases appetite
	Obestatin	Pancreas	Increases insulin release and decreases appetite
EXOCRINE CELLS OF THE PANCREAS
Acinar cells	Alpha-amylase, proteases and lipases	Gut	Promotes digestion
	Islet neogenesis associated protein (peptide of 175 amino acids)	Pancreas	Induces β cell neogenesis
Duct Cells	Forming ductal structure, secrete mucus, bicarbonate	Gut	Promotes digestion and regenerative process