A K-ATP channel-dependent pathway within alpha cells regulates glucagon release from both rodent and human islets of langerhans
Glucagon, secreted from pancreatic islet a cells, stimulates gluconeogenesis and liver glycogen breakdown. The mechanism regulating glucagon release is debated, and variously attributed to neuronal control, paracrine control by neighbouring beta cells, or to an intrinsic glucose sensing by the a cells themselves. We examined hormone secretion and Ca2+ responses of a and b cells within intact roden