Delta Cells (Islet Calmers)

The quiet one in the islet

Delta cells live in the islets (say EYE-lets) of your pancreas, the little clusters of hormone-making cells.

They are only a small part of each islet. Their neighbors are alpha cells, which make glucagon, and beta cells, which make insulin.

Delta cells are full of tiny bubbles that hold a hormone called somatostatin (say so-MAT-oh-STAT-in).

Putting on the brakes

Somatostatin works like a brake. It tells nearby alpha and beta cells to slow down and let out less glucagon and insulin.

This helps keep things from going too far. With a gentle brake, your blood sugar stays steady instead of zooming up and down.

Your body also makes somatostatin in your stomach, gut, and brain. There, it helps slow down other signals too.

Delta cell quiz