Pancreatic Secretion & Octreotide

Current · V5 (2025) → J1.v Historical · V4 (2023) → O1.i, O2.iv, U1.i 1 exam appearance

2015A Q06

Exam question

Outline the physiology of pancreatic secretion (80% of marks) and outline the pharmacology of octreotide (20% of marks).

CICMWrecks answer

Master answer

produced by acinar and ductal cells
~1.5L per day
HCO₃^–
- alkalinize gastric contents
- enzyme carbonic anhydrase
Water
Enzymes
- Proteases: Trypsinogen → Trypsin (by enterokinase in gut), Chymotrypsinogen → Chymotrypsin. Proteolysis.
- Amylase: Hydrolysis of glycogen, starch, and complex carbohydrate.
- Lipase: Hydrolysis of dietary triglycerides.
- Others: ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, gelatinase and elastase

Insulin
- polypeptide hormone
- synthesized from proinsulin in RER of B cells in Islets of Langerhans
- Excreted via exocytosis in response to ↑intracellulae Ca²⁺
- Minimal protein binding, tiny Vd 0.075 L/kg
- Metabolized in liver, muscle, kidney byt Glutathione insulin transhydrogenase
- Renal elimination of inactive metabolites
- Circulatory hald life ~5mins
- Increased anabolism, decreased catabolism
- maintains normal blood glucose levels by facilitating cellular glucose uptake, regulating carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism
- promotes cell division and growth through its mitogenic effects
Glucagon
- polypeptide hormone
- synthesized in pancreatic A cells
- secreted into portal vein
- Circulating half life ~5mins
- Metabolized in liver (1st pass) – low circulating level
- Glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, glucose release, ketone formation
- Lipolysis
- Inotopy, increases metabolic rate
- Stimulates somatostatin, insulin release
Somatostatin
- polypeptide hormone
- Inhibits Glucagon, Insulin, other pancreatic peptides
- may function as CNS neurotransmitter

Past papers

1 appearance

Exam	Exact exam wording	Candidate success
2015A Q06	Outline the physiology of pancreatic secretion (80% of marks) and outline the pharmacology of octreotide (20% of marks).	38%