The Effect of Pancreatic Polypeptide on Insulin Requirements for Type 1 & Post-pancreatectomy Diabetic Patients

The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach. One of the functions of the pancreas is to produce two hormones: insulin and pancreatic polypeptide. Insulin helps the cells to take in glucose. The liver makes glucose and insulin normally acts to decrease or shut off the liver's production of glucose. However, in patients whose pancreas no longer makes insulin or makes low levels of pancreatic polypeptide the liver cannot perform these duties as well. Studies have shown that these important functions of the liver are improved for these patients when pancreatic polypeptide is given together with their insulin. Because PP increases the liver's sensitivity to insulin and thereby reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver, this will result in fewer swings in blood sugar levels both in the upper and lower range. With fewer swings in blood glucose, a patient should decrease the amount of insulin used. One of the main benefits of lowering total insulin requirement is a reduction in the development of dangerous low blood sugar levels.