Overview

Ingestion of a meal stimulates the physiological response to control the digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients. The pancreas is integral to this process, communicating with other organs through hormones and metabolites to efficiently obtain and use energy sources [1]. Following the intake of food, the exocrine compartment (made up of acinar, duct, and centroacinar cells; Fig. 1) releases digestive fluid to facilitate the intestinal breakdown and absorption of nutrients [2]. In contrast, pancreatic endocrine cells (α-, β-, δ-, and pancreaticpolypeptide cells) release hormones [3] that control how cells use and store energy fuels (i.e., glucose, lipids, and proteins) during different metabolic transitions (i.e., feeding, fasting, and exercise) [4].