Autonomic nervous system and pancreatic islet blood flow

Abstract

Vascularization and innervation of the islet of Langerhans are highly interconnected and are critical for intercellular and intertissular communication. They are both involved in the control of islet blood flow which has been shown to have an important role in the control of endocine secretion. Both parameters are disturbed during the course of metabolic pathologies and particularly diabetes. A better understanding of these mechanisms has and will greatly benefit from the rapidly-emerging technologies particularly in vivo imaging enabling to study both anatomy and functions of the islet.

Keywords: Diabetes; Imaging; Insulin secretion; Obesity; Parasympathetic; Sympathetic.