Addison's Disease

Question 1

What is Addison’s disease?

Answer 1

Disorder of adrenal gland resulting in a decrease in the production of adrenocortical hormones.

Question 2

What hormones do the adrenal glands produce?

Answer 2

Mineralocorticoid (Aldosterone)
Glucocorticoids (Corticol)
Androgens (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Enkephalin

Question 3

What are the 3 main structures of the adrenal gland?

Answer 3

Adrenal Capsule
Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Medulla

Question 4

Where are the adrenal glands situated?

Answer 4

Between the superomedial kidney and the diaphragm

Question 5

Name the 3 regions of the cortex

Answer 5

Zona glomerulosa (mineralocorticosteroids)
Zona Fasciculata (Corticosteroids)
Zona Rectularis (Androgens)

Question 6

What nerves supply the adrenal glands

Answer 6

Suprarenal plexus (derived from coeliac plexus)
Abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves
Innervates from T10-L1

Question 7

Name the blood supplies to/from the kidneys

Answer 7

Superior adrenal artery (arises from inferior phrenic artery)
Middle adrenal artery (arises from abdominal aorta)
Inferior adrenal artery (arises from the renal arteries)
Right adrenal vein -> inferior vena cava
Left adrenal vein -> Left renal vein

Question 8

Name the lymph site

Answer 8

Lumbar lymph node

Question 9

What is the role of mineralocorticoids in the body?

Answer 9

class of steroid hormones that regulate salt and water balances. Aldosterone is the primary mineralocorticoid.

Question 10

What is the role of glucocorticoids in the body?

Answer 10

1. Up-regulate anti-inflammatory proteins.
2. Down-regulate pro-inflammatory proteins.
3. Stimulate gluconeogenesis
4. Inhibits glucose uptake in adipose and muscle tissues
5. Stimulates fat breakdown

Question 11

Name 5 glucocorticoids drugsame

Answer 11

1. betamethasone
2. budesonide
3. cortisone
4. dexamethasone
5. hydrocortisone
6. prednisolone
7. triamcinolone

Question 12

What are the major side effects of glucocorticoid’s

Answer 12

Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Proximal myopathy
Cushing’s Syndrome (high doses)

Question 13

What are the major side effects associated with mineralocorticoid’s?

Answer 13

Hypertension
Sodium and Water retention
Potassium and Calcium loss

Question 14

What is the mode of action of glucocorticoids?

Answer 14

Binds to GR
Translocates to nucleus 
Binds to GR element (GRE) 
Increase ant-inflammatory proteins
Increase gluconeogenesis proteins