Endocrine cells and blood vessels work in tandem to generate hormone pulses

J Mol Endocrinol. 2011 Aug 25;47(2):R59-66. doi: 10.1530/JME-11-0035. Print 2011 Oct.

Abstract

Hormones are dynamically collected by fenestrated capillaries to generate pulses, which are then decoded by target tissues to mount a biological response. To generate hormone pulses, endocrine systems have evolved mechanisms to tightly regulate blood perfusion and oxygenation, coordinate endocrine cell responses to secretory stimuli, and regulate hormone uptake from the perivascular space into the bloodstream. Based on recent findings, we review here the mechanisms that exist in endocrine systems to regulate blood flow, and facilitate coordinated cell activity and output under both normal physiological and pathological conditions in the pituitary gland and pancreas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endocrine Cells / metabolism*
  • Endocrine System / blood supply*
  • Endocrine System / cytology
  • Endocrine System / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Pancreas / blood supply
  • Pancreas / cytology
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland / blood supply
  • Pituitary Gland / cytology
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism