Are Islet Cells the Gatekeepers of the Pancreas?

The pancreas is one of the body’s most complex tissues composed of a mixture of endocrine and exocrine cell components. Although, islets comprise 1–2% of the pancreatic volume, there is some evidence that they control the function and the integrity of the pancreas and play the role of a gatekeeper. This review intends to highlight the importance of islet cells, not only for glucose metabolism, but also for their significant role in drug metabolism and diseases, especially in pancreatic cancer.

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