GalaninA 29-amino acid peptide that is found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It inhibits glucose-induced insulin release, hippocampal acetylcholine release, hippocampal glutamate (but not GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID) release, and it lowers spinal excitability and firing of locus coeruleus neurons. It stimulates food (fat) intake and growth hormone release upon hypothalamic or i.c.v. injection. (Crit Rev Neurobiol 1993;7(3-4):229-74)
InsulinA protein hormone secreted by beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin plays a major role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, generally promoting the cellular utilization of glucose. It is also an important regulator of protein and lipid metabolism. Insulin is used as a drug to control insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
AcetylcholineA neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine in vertebrates is the major transmitter at neuromuscular junctions, autonomic ganglia, parasympathetic effector junctions, a subset of sympathetic effector junctions, and at many sites in the central nervous system. It is generally not used as an administered drug because it is broken down very rapidly by cholinesterases, but it is useful in some ophthalmological applications.
FoodAnything which, when taken into the body, serves to nourish or build up the tissues or to supply body heat. (Dorland, 27th ed)
GrowthGradual increase in the number, the size, and the complexity of cells of an individual. Growth generally results in increase in ORGAN WEIGHT; BODY WEIGHT; and BODY HEIGHT.
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