By Ole H. Petersen, Oleg V. Gerasimenko, and Julia V. Gerasimenko | February 1, 2012

Normal pancreatic function depends on the precise flow of calcium within and into the acinar cells of the organ. When food is eaten, low concentrations of the pancreas-stimulating hormone cholecystokinin or of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine cause brief, localized spikes in calcium concentration within the specialized cells. But sustained global elevations of Ca²⁺ concentration in these cells—caused by elevated hormone or neurotransmitter levels—spell trouble.

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