INSULIN Definition & Meaning

insulin

[ in-suh-lin, ins-yuh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
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.

insulin

/ ˈɪ�Բ��ʊ��ɪ�� /

noun

a protein hormone, secreted in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood. Insulin deficiency results in diabetes mellitus

insulin

/ ĭ��′sə-lĭ�� /

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.
A drug containing this hormone, obtained from the pancreas of animals or produced synthetically and used to treat diabetes.

insulin

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

Discover More

Notes

Persons suffering from diabetes mellitus may receive periodic or daily injections of insulin as a treatment for the disease.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of insulin¹

First recorded in 1910–15; insul(a) + -in ²

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of insulin¹

C20: from New Latin insula islet (of the pancreas) + -in

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It added the biomechanical test used in both cases "can give rise to falsely high insulin results" due to the presence of antibodies which can interfere with the outcome.

From

The parents of an eight-year-old diabetic girl in Australia who died after they denied her insulin for almost a week have each been sentenced to 14 years in jail for manslaughter.

From

Teplizumab can delay the onset of the chronic disease by reprogramming the immune system to stop it mistakenly attacking pancreatic cells which produce insulin.

From

Fourteen members of an Australian religious group have been convicted of killing an eight-year-old diabetic girl who was denied insulin for almost a week.

From

Ultimately, this can result in type 2 diabetes, a condition where insulin resistance becomes a chronic problem and blood sugar levels become too high as a result.

From

Browse