胰岛素分泌是由很多内源性与外源性动因直接刺激所引起。葡萄糖可能是主要的胰岛素促分泌剂,但氨基酸、胰高糖素与胃肠激素均刺激胰岛 B 细胞释放胰岛素;药物如磺脲化合物以及细胞外液中钾离子浓度的改变亦影响胰岛素释放。这些物质刺激胰岛素分泌的机理还不完全清楚,但有证据表明环磷腺苷(cAMP)与钙离子对胰岛 B 细胞起到连系识别刺激物与胰岛素分泌的信号分子的作用。相当多的证据提示,激素如胰高糖素与胰泌素的作用是由增加细胞内 cAMP 浓度所介 Insulin secretion is caused by direct stimulation of many endogenous and exogenous agents. Glucose may be the main insulin secretagogue, but amino acids, glucagon and gastrointestinal hormones stimulate islet B cells to release insulin; drugs such as sulfonylureas and extracellular potassium ion concentration changes also affect insulin release. The mechanism by which these substances stimulate insulin secretion is not fully understood, but there is evidence that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium ions act on islet B cells in conjunction with signaling molecules that recognize stimuli and insulin secretion. Quite ample evidence suggests that the effects of hormones such as glucagon and secretin are mediated by increased intracellular cAMP concentrations