9 Flashcards
Which zone of the adrenal cortex releases aldosterone
Zona glomerulosa
What are the functions of aldosterone?
- Recovery of Na+ in the kidney and enhanced K+ and H+ secretion into the urine to balance charge difference (Sodium/potassium homeostasis)
- Water reabsorption / regulation of fluid volume
- Therefore, adjustment of extra-cellular fluid (ECF), including blood volume and pressure
Physical attributes to blood system homestasis of plasma
Volume
Osmolarity
Blood pressure
Control mechanisms of blood system (in addition to fluid intake)
H2O retention
Dilation of arterioles
Na+ retention
Factors that influence Na+ appetite
Brain analyzes various factors resulting in behavioural changes in water and salt intake
Positive factors, resultign in increased intake:
- Aldosterone
- Angiotensin II
Negative:
- Increased Na blood levels
Both positive and negative”
- Arterial/venous baroreceptros
WHich vessels can control their diameter?
Artery
Arterioles
Capillaries
Where is renin secreted and what is its function?
Renin from afferent arterioles in kidney converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, activating it
Where is ACE secreted and what is its function?
ACE from endothelial cells of lungs converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II
What is the main control of aldosterone secretion?
adrenal gland is under the influence of trophic hormones from the pituitary (ACTH)
aldosterone, however is not majorly influenced by ACTH
Main controlling factor of aldosterone released is Renin-Angiotensin system
What is ACTH and what is it’s function
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. The function of ACTH is to regulate levels of the steroid hormone cortisol, which released from the adrenal gland
What are the roles of Angiotensin II?
v increases Na+ absorption and K+ excretion
v vasoconstriction by acting upon blood vessels
v Water retention, higher blood pressure
v Acts upon posterior pituitary – AVP also stimulates water resorption in kidney
Apart from being secreted from afferent arterioles, where else is it produced? What is its role
Renin also found in the brain.
Role is unclear: Local production of angiotensin II ? Induction of thirst?
What stimulates renin release?
- Macula densa cells detect Na+ levels in kidney tubule - > decrease in Na levels stimulates renin release
- Juxtagolomerular cells detect blood pressure via baroreceptors - > decreases pressure= renin release
- Increased renal sympathetic nerve outputs
Other factors: Increased prostaglandins, beta-adrenergic action, decreased arterial pressure
Leads to release of renin form Juxtagolomerular apparatus
How is angiotensin metabolized?
Angiotensin II is converted to less functioning angiotensin III by aminopeptidase
angiotensin III is then converted into degradation products
What leads to rapid./acute pressor response of angiotensin II
CHange in peripheral resistance results in:
1) Vasoconstriction
2) Increased sympathetic discharge
3) increased Adrenal medullary cathecolamine (epinephrin and norepinephrine) release
What leads to slow pressor response of angiotensin II
Change in renal function requires additional factors to be produced
1) Increased sodium reabsorption
2) Renal vasoconstriction
What leads to very slow pressor response of angiotensin II
Structural changes remodelling (vascular and cardiac tissue hypertrophy and remodelling) -> slower, but a longer lasting effect
Where is NA transport regulated by aldosteroen
Mainly distal tubules of kidney
colon
Salivary and Sweat glands
Describe aldosterone receptor
How does it function
Aldosterone is a steroid-> has nuclear receptor -> Mineralocorticoid receptor
aldosterone-> steroid-> nuclear receptor MR??
found in the cytoplasm
when bound to aldosterone and goes into the nucleus
results in the production of structural proteins e.g transport or regulatory proteins (kinases)
regulatory proteins act upon sodium channels in the luminal side of the tubule and Sodium- Potassium ATPase channels on the basal side
thus aldosterone effects are through the control of gene expression
Mechanism of action of aldosterone
In the luminal side (that touched the urine), there are sodium and potassium channles
on the basal side, there’s Na-K ATPase and K channels.
When Na channels on the luminalside are activated by aldosterone, the bring in Na into the cell and transport K out of the cell.
this is balanced by the increased activity of Sodium-potassium ATPase, thus the sodium that was brought into the cells will be transported across the opposite side of the cell into the circulation. leading to sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion
At the same time, as sodium is going in, aquaporins open-> allow for the reabsorption of water
In total, sodium and water are reabsorbed at the same time-> increased blood volume
What structures does aldosterone act upon
Mainly: Distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney.
- Also on other secretory systems (sweat glands, salivary glands, colon)
What is the aldosterone’s effect on blood vessels
Sensitizes arterioles to vasoconstrictor agents, vSensitizes arterioles to vasoconstrictor agents
What is the time needed for aldosterone to start acting?
Response has a lag period of 1h, reflecting that aldosterone induced enzymes have to be synthesized de novo
What is Conn’s syndrome
Hypersecretion of aldosterone usually caused by adrenal hyperplasia (60 %) or tumor (40%)
- Results in Excess excretion of K+ and H+=> Serum alkalosis and neuropathy (hypocalcemia)
- Increased water retention
- Increased Na reabsorption
- Increased blood pressure
Natriuretic peptides
Location of secretion
There are 2 types: BNP and ANP
Produced in the heart muscle cells and stored in granules
Natriuretic peptides’ receptors
Receptors are present in the glomeruli, medullary collecting ducts of the kidney, the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex and in peripheral arterioles
Which sex hormones can be produced by adrenal cortex
Zone reticularis cells can produce sex steroids
Mainly androgens, but also some amount of estrogen ->
DHEAS (male sex hormone (androgen)) and androstenedione
Can be converted to testosterone in peripheral tissues.