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insulin - 7 dictionary results

in⋅su⋅lin

[in-suh-lin, ins-yuh-]
–noun
1. Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, that regulates the metabolism of glucose and other nutrients.
2. Pharmacology. any of several commercial preparations of this substance, each of which allows a particular rate of absorption into the system: genetically engineered or obtained from the pig or ox pancreas, and used in the treatment of diabetes to restore the normal ability of the body to utilize sugars and other carbohydrates.

Origin:
1910–15; insul(a) + -in 2
in·su·lin   (ĭn'sə-lĭn)   
n.  
  1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans and functioning in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level.
  2. Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used in the medical treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (type I).

[New Latin īnsula, island (of Langerhans) (from Latin, island) + -in.]

insulin [(in-suh-lin, in-syuh-lin)]

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the levels of sugar in the blood.

Note: Persons suffering from diabetes mellitus may receive periodic or daily injections of insulin as a treatment for the disease.
Language Translation for : insulin
Spanish: insulina,
German: das Insulin,
Japanese: インシュリン

insulin 
1922 (earlier insuline, 1914), coined in Eng. from L. insula "island," so called because the hormone is secreted by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Main Entry: in·su·lin
Pronunciation: 'in(t)-s(&-)l&n
Function: noun
: a protein hormone that is synthesized in the pancreas fromproinsulin and secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating theuptake of glucose into tissues, by promoting its conversion into glycogen, fatty acids, and triglycerides, and by reducing the release of glucose from the liver, and that when produced in insufficientquantities results in diabetes mellitus —see ILETIN

insulin in·su·lin (ĭn'sə-lĭn)
n.

  1. A polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the islets of Langerhans, helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, and promotes protein synthesis and the formation and storage of neutral lipids.
  2. Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used parenterally in the medical treatment and management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

insulin   (ĭn'sə-lĭn)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood by stimulating cells, especially liver and muscle cells, to absorb and metabolize glucose. Insulin also stimulates the conversion of blood glucose into glycogen and fat, which are the body's chief sources of stored carbohydrates.
  2. A drug containing this hormone, obtained from the pancreas of animals or produced synthetically and used to treat diabetes.

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