What are alpha cells?
Alfa cells are endocrine cells present in the pancreas in an area called Langerhans. These specific cells produce a specific hormone called glucagon. The hormonal glucagon is vital for regulating blood glucose, ie the amount of glucose or sugar, in the bloodstream. Langerhan, named for the person who discovered it in 1869, is a region in a pancreatic consisting mainly of endocrine cells producing hormones. The alpha cells are located in this area and are essential for the production of hormonal glucagon. Glukagon plays an important role in increasing blood glucose or blood glucose.
Glucagon produced by alpha cells acts to increase blood sugar in the body by glycogen distribution, substances produced in the liver, on a type of sugar called glucose. The glycogen transfer process is called glycogenolysis. Glucose, which is produced during glycogenolysis, enters the bloodstream and is then transferred to various cells in the body. Cells use glucoseU as fuel and is the primary source of energy for the body.
The human body constantly regulates the amount of blood sugar levels in the bloodstream. When the blood sugar level drops too low, alpha cells are caused to action and releases the necessary amounts of glucagon, which triggers the glycogenolysis process, resulting in glucose production. Without alpha cells, the human body would not be able to produce glucose and would therefore not be able to maintain a reasonable blood glucose level.
When the blood sugar level decreases too low and the condition is not corrected, they may result in serious health problems. The condition called hypoglycaemia causes a number of unpleasant symptopans. A person with low blood sugar could feel dizziness, trembling and weak. He could also experience a rapid heart rhythm, break out in stuffy sweat or have blurred vision. If not cured, the condition could degenerate and become more serious whatIt caused mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and coma.
people suffering from a condition called diabetes often have problems with excessive amount of glucose in their blood speeches. This condition is sometimes due to the inability of the body to produce enough insulin, a substance that allows cells to absorb glucose from the blood. Human cells can also be insulin resistant to inhibit blood glucose absorption. For the purpose of repairing this condition are sometimes prescribed drugs that inhibit the production of glucagon alpha cells.