Principles of Biochemistry, Volume 3 - A. Lehninger 1985

Selected Aspects of Human Biochemistry
Hormones
Insulin secretion is regulated primarily by blood glucose concentrations

The secretion of Insulin into the Blood from the $\beta$-Cells of the islets of Langerhans is a complex process mediated by Ca2+ ions. Its final stage involves the release of the contents of secretory granules, which contain insulin and C-peptide, into the bloodstream. The rate of insulin secretion depends primarily on blood glucose concentration: the higher the glucose level, the greater the secretion rate. An increase in insulin concentration accelerates the uptake of glucose from the blood into The Liver and Muscles, where it is predominantly converted into Glycogen. As a result, blood glucose drops back to normal levels, which in turn slows down insulin secretion until its rate returns to baseline. Thus, a finely tuned feedback loop exists between the rate of insulin secretion and blood glucose concentration.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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