Test Your Knowledge Answer #520

Answer and Critique (Correct Answer = 4)

The hormone amylin is made in the beta cells of the pancreas and helps regulate glucose levels by decreasing glucose release from the liver and slowing gastric emptying. A synthetic version of the natural hormone amylin is made by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and is called Symlin (pramlintide).

GLP-1 is a natural hormone called an incretin, made in the small intestine and helps regulate glucose by decreasing glucose release from the liver, increasing first phase insulin release from the pancreas, decreasing gastric emptying, and improving satiety. A synthetic compound that mimics GLP-1, made Amylin Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Amylin and Lilly, is called Byetta (exenatide). 

Insulin is made in the beta cells of the pancreas. There are various synthetic versions of insulin. Some of these are exactly the same as human insulin and others are synthetic analogs of human insulin and feature altered absorption and activity levels. These products are made by multiple manufacturers.