Cholecystokinin in the entero-insular axis.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a well-characterized gastrointestinal hormone which is released into the general circulation after meals. Targets for CCK include not only the gallbladder and the exocrine pancreas but also the endocrine pancreas. In this paper, we review the role of CCK from the perspective of the entero-insular axis, where CCK seems to function as one component of incretin and can raise insulin release synergistically with other incretin components. CCK also increases the sensitivity of B cells to subsequent glucose stimulation. At present, the role of CCK as incretin in disease states is uncertain. The pathophysiological role of CCK is likely to be revealed using CCK-specific radioimmunoassay and bioassay techniques and CCK receptor antagonists.