Figure 5. Pathophysiological changes in pancreas volume in the presence of obesity and potential mechanisms of the interplay between endocrine and exocrine pancreas.

Pancreas volume increases with obesity. Insulin acts as a trophic factor on the exocrine pancreas. Inflammatory changes in the exocrine pancreas may affect endocrine function and/or mass. Abbreviations: BCM – beta-cell mass, CCK – cholecystokinin, ER – endoplasmic reticulum, FFA – free fatty acid, GI – gastrointestinal, T2D – type 2 diabetes.