What hormone is released through the endocrine function of the pancreas?

Insulin is the hormone released by the pancreas through its endocrine function, which involves the secretion of hormones directly into the bloodstream. The pancreas contains clusters of cells known as the islets of Langerhans, which specifically produce insulin in response to elevated blood sugar levels. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism by facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and providing energy for cellular processes.

In contrast to insulin, glucagon is another hormone produced by the pancreas, but it has an opposing effect, working to raise blood sugar levels when they drop. Gastrin is related to digestive processes and is primarily involved in stimulating the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach, while pancreatic juice is a digestive fluid containing enzymes produced by the pancreas to aid in digestion, but it is not a hormone. The distinction lies in the fact that insulin has a direct regulatory function in metabolism, whereas the other options do not serve that particular endocrinological function.