Biology of pancreas and possible diseases

Pancreas is one of the small, flattened organs in the gastrointestinal tract associated with dynamic functions. Most of the food is digested before entering into the other organs and then is converted into energy to regulate the metabolic systems. However, digestion mainly involves the hydrolysis of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and fatty acids. Releasing enzymes and hormones, which are crucial for regulating the glucose homeostasis and energy production, is the main function of both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Disorders of the pancreas can affect the exocrine and endocrine functions, thus resulting in devastating diseases, such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. The main predisposing factors for the development and progression of these disorders are still unclear; therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate pancreas homeostasis. In this present chapter, we discuss the biology of the pancreas and its functions and the development of disorders and pathological conditions. We also examine how this accumulating knowledge is guiding the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cure or prevent disease.