The human pancreas has vital roles in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and digestion and its dysfunction leads to pancreatic disease as diabetes and pancreatitis. Recent researches have highlighted the novel roles of a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the pancreas and its clinical relevances; its inapprporiate activation leads to pancreatic endocrine and exocrine disease, notably type 2 diabetes. As such, manipulation of the overactive RAS may improve pancreatic islet cell function, cell mass and insulin sensitivity, as well as enhancing the growth and differentiation of pancreatic stem cells. Blockade of the RAS may be protective against pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The research outcome of current progress on the RAS in the pancreas should provide an alternative approach to preventing and treating, as well as curing pancreatic disease. This book discusses the progress of research on the renin-angiotensin system in the pancreas from the science to the bedside, providing a timely review of this expanding area. It consists of ten interrelated chapters covering subjects as: – Structure, physiology and disease of the pancreas – Biochemistry and physiology of the pancreatic renin-angiotensin system – RAS in diabetes, stem cells and pancreatitis This book is of special value to basic and clinical scientists, clinicians, graduate students, as well as novices in this field.
The Renin-Angiotensin System: Current Research Progress in The Pancreas
ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY Editorial Board: IRUN R. COHEN, The Weizmann Institute of Science ABEL LAJTHA, N.S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research JOHN D. LAMBRIS, University of Pennsylvania RODOLFO PAOLETTI, University of Milan
Recent Volumes in this Series Volume 682
MUSCLE BIOPHYSICS: FROM MOLECULES TO CELLS Edited by Dilson E. Rassier
Volume 683
INSECT NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS Edited by Steeve Hervé Thany
Volume 684
MEMORY T CELLS Edited by Maurizio Zanetti and Stephen P. Schoenberger
Volume 685
DISEASES OF DNA REPAIR Edited by Shamim I. Ahmad
Volume 686
RARE DISEASES EPIDEMIOLOGY Edited by Manuel Posada de la Paz and Stephen C. Groft
Volume 687
BCL-2 PROTEIN FAMILY: ESSENTIAL REGULATORS OF CELL DETH Edited by Claudio Hetz
Volume 688
SPHINGOLIPIDS AS SIGNALING AND REGULATORY MOLECULES Edited by Charles Chalfant and Maurizio Del Poeta
Volume 689
HOX GENES: STUDIES FROM THE 20TH TO THE 21ST CENTURY Edited by Jean S. Deutsch
Volume 690
THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM: CURRENT RESEARCH PROGRESS IN THE PANCREAS Edited by Po Sing Leung
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Po Sing Leung
The Renin-Angiotensin System: Current Research Progress in The Pancreas The RAS in the Pancreas
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Po Sing Leung, PhD School of Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin Hong Kong China
[email protected]
ISSN 0065-2598 ISBN 978-90-481-9059-1 e-ISBN 978-90-481-9060-7 DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-9060-7 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2010933093 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publishe