What are the gastrointestinal hormones?

gastrointestinal hormones, commonly referred to as intestinal hormones, are a group of hormones secreted by specific cells located primarily in the stomach and small intestine. Hormones control a number of different functions of digestive organs. Cells that secrete hormones called enteroendocrine cells or endocrinocytes are scattered throughout the digestive system. More than 24 types of gastrointestinal hormones have been identified. These hormones work in several different ways. They travel by blood circulation to affect the digestive system, including the digestive tube, liver, abdominal and brain. They also affect cells that produce them with interaction with these places of cellular receptors. Gastrointestinal hormones can also be excreted into tissue surrounding them or to nearby cells to create a reaction.

There are six gastrointestinal hormones that are generally recognized as primary hormones. They include secretion hormones, gastrin-cholecystokinin and motilin families. Hormones are grouped together on the basisTheir chemical structures and often perform similar functions. It stimulates water and bicarbonate secretion in pancreatic and bile ducts. GIP responds to elevated blood glucose in the small intestine and inhibits the mobility of the small intestine. It also stimulates beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin.

Ghrelin and Motilin are part of the Motilin family. It is not clear what stimulates them to secrete, but are associated with certain physiological conditions. Ghrelin seems to be a stimulant of appetite and paying, as his secretion culminates just before feeding and drops as soon as the stomach is filled. It strongly stimulates secretion of growth hormones. Motilin seems to be associated with fasting and it also seems to help maintain the motility of the stomach and small intestine.

The gastrin-cholecystokinin family includes gastrin and cholecystokinin. Gastrin is excreted in the presence of amino acids and peptides in the stomach cavity, stimulatesThe growth of the epithelium in the stomach tube and also stimulates the secretion of stomach acid. Cholecystokinin reacts to fatty acids and peptides in the small intestine and stimulates the gallbladder to close and empty in response. It also stimulates the pancreas to secrete enzymes that break down peptides and fatty acids.