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Gastrointestinal Hormones

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GI Hormones Overview - Gut Feeling Orchestrators

  • GI hormones: Peptide messengers from enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in GI mucosa & pancreas. Regulate digestion, absorption, motility, gut growth.
  • Key Sites: Stomach (G cells), Duodenum (I, S, K cells), Jejunum, Pancreas (islets).
  • Action Modes:
    • Endocrine: Bloodstream to distant targets (e.g., Gastrin, CCK).
    • Paracrine: Local diffusion to nearby cells (e.g., Somatostatin).
    • Neurocrine: Neuronal release (e.g., VIP, GRP).

⭐ Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, marked by severe peptic ulcers, arises from a gastrin-secreting tumor (gastrinoma), often pancreatic.

Gastrin & CCK - Acid & Bile Bosses

HormoneSourceStimulusMain ActionsClinical Note
GastrinG cells (stomach antrum, duodenum)Peptides, amino acids, distension, vagal (GRP)↑ HCl secretion (parietal cells), ↑ Mucosal growth (trophic effect)Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (gastrinoma)
CCKI cells (duodenum, jejunum)Fatty acids (>10C), amino acids (Trp, Phe)↑ Pancreatic enzyme & HCO₃⁻, ↑ Gallbladder contraction, ↓ Gastric emptying, Sphincter of Oddi relaxationGallbladder function test (ejection fraction)

Gut hormones and their effects

⭐ CCK is the principal stimulus for delivery of pancreatic enzymes and bile into the small intestine.

Secretin Family & Incretins - Pancreatic Juice & Sugar Supervisors

Gastrointestinal Hormones and Their Functions

HormoneSourceStimulusMain ActionsClinical Note
SecretinS cells (duo)Acid (pH < 4.5), fats↑ Pancreatic $HCO_3^-$; ↓ Gastric acidZES test (paradoxical ↑ gastrin)
GIPK cells (duo,jej)Glucose, fats, AAs↑ Insulin (Incretin); ↓ Gastric acidOral > IV glucose insulin
VIPEnteric nervesNeural↑ Intestinal secretion ($H_2O$, electrolytes); Relax smooth muscleVIPoma: WDHA syndrome
GLP-1L cells (ile,col)Glucose, fats, AAs↑ Insulin, ↓ Glucagon, ↓ Gastric empty, ↑ Satiety (Incretin)Agonists for T2DM/obesity

Motility & Satiety Hormones - Movers, Shakers & Appetite Breakers

HormoneSourceStimulusMain Actions
MotilinM cells (duodenum, jejunum)Fasting, alkaline pH↑ GI motility (MMC initiator), ↑ gastric emptying
GhrelinP/D1 cells (gastric fundus)Fasting, hypoglycemia↑ Appetite (orexigenic), ↑ GH release, ↑ gastric emptying
SomatostatinD cells (pancreas, GI)Acid, fat, protein, neural↓ GI motility, ↓ secretions (universal inhibitor), ↓ splanchnic blood flow
Peptide YYL cells (ileum, colon)Postprandial fat, carbs↓ Appetite (anorexigenic), ↓ gastric emptying, ↓ GI motility

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Gastrin (G cells): Stimulates HCl secretion; ↑ in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
  • CCK (I cells): Triggers pancreatic enzyme release, gallbladder contraction; ↓ gastric emptying.
  • Secretin (S cells): Promotes pancreatic HCO₃⁻ secretion to neutralize acid.
  • Somatostatin (D cells): Universal inhibitor of GI secretions & motility.
  • GIP (K cells): Enhances insulin release (incretin effect).
  • Motilin: Initiates migrating motor complexes (MMCs) during fasting.
  • Ghrelin (stomach): Stimulates hunger.

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