Which cells inhibit the secretion of both alpha and beta cells by producing somatostatin?

• A. Alpha cells
• B. Beta cells
• C. Delta cells
• D. Acinar cells

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is Delta cells, which play a crucial role in the regulation of hormone secretion in the pancreas. Delta cells produce somatostatin, a regulatory hormone that inhibits the secretion of both insulin from beta cells and glucagon from alpha cells. This inhibitory effect helps maintain glucose homeostasis within the body. By controlling the release of these two hormones, somatostatin ensures that the levels of glucose in the bloodstream remain balanced, preventing fluctuations that can lead to conditions such as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

Understanding the function of Delta cells and somatostatin is essential in grasping how the endocrine functions of the pancreas are interconnected and how they work together to sustain metabolic processes.