Adrenal Cortex

Question 1

The effects of cortisol are described as ______ which means

Answer 1

“permissive”
doesn’t directly initiate actions but allows critical processes to occur
amplies actions of other hormones

Question 2

Only ______ cortisol is biological active

Answer 2

free

Question 3

The net effects of cortisol are [catabolic/anabolic]

Answer 3

catabolic

Question 4

How does cortisol affect energy metabolism?

Answer 4

increases blood glucose
increase glycogenesis
increase lipolysis and protein catabolism
increases, visceral obesity

Question 5

How does cortisol increase blood glucose?

Answer 5

increase gluconeogenesis
increase glucagon release from pancreas to allow glycogenolysis
temporarily causing insulin resistance in tissues (muscles and adipose)

Question 6

What tissues are insulin sensitive?

Answer 6

muscle
adipose

Question 7

What do you do to cause insulin resistance?

Answer 7

decrease translocation of glucose transporters in cell membrane

Question 8

How does cortisol increase glycogenesis?

Answer 8

blood glucose increases, eventually insulin:glucagon ratio increases

Question 9

Glycogenesis starts in the _____

Answer 9

liver

Question 10

Increasing lipolysis and protein catabolism provides _____

Answer 10

amino acids for gluconeogenesis

Question 11

How does cortisol affect the musculoskeletal system?

Answer 11

increase protein catabolism
bone - inhibits bone formation, increases bone resorption, causes osteoporosis
connective tissue - inhibits collagen synthesis, causes thin skin

Question 12

What are the effects of cortisol specifically on bone?

Answer 12

Inhibits bone formation
increases bone resorption
causes osteoporosis

Question 13

Cortisol inhibits ____ absorption from small intestine

Answer 13

calcium

Question 14

How does cortisol affect the kidneys and cardiovascular system?

Answer 14

increase glomerular filtration rate in kidney
decreases ADH (not reabsorb as much water)
helps maintain normal blood pressure and volume
unregulated alpha-1 adrenergic receptors

Question 14

Cortisol upregulates what? It’s necessary for…

Answer 14

alpha-1 adrenergic receptors
necessary for vasoconstrictive response of arterioles to NE and Epi

Question 15

How does cortisol affect the immune system?

Answer 15

suppresses immune response
suppresses prostaglandins, thromboxane, leukotrienes
specific anti-inflammatory effects

Question 16

What are the specific anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol on the immune system?

Answer 16

induces lipocortin
inhibits production of interleukin-2
inhibits release of histamine

Question 17

Exogenous steroids are given when

Answer 17

to suppress immune system and prevent rejection of transplanted organs
combat hyper-immune functions

Question 18

What are some weak androgens in the zona reticularis?

Answer 18

dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHEA sulfate
androstenedione

Question 19

What enzyme is important for androgen production in the adrenal cortex?

Answer 19

17,20-lyase

Question 20

What are the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 20

polydipsia, polyuria, panting, obesity, muscle weakness, alopecia, thin skin

Question 21

What are the causes of Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 21

pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
pars intermedia dysfunctioin
adrenal tumors
iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism resulting from chronic excessive exogenous steroid administration

Question 22

What does PDH with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia cause?

Answer 22

excess cortisol production

Question 23

The pituitary adenoma secretes excess _____

Answer 23

ADH

Question 24

T/F: Addison’s disease occurs usually in older dogs

Answer 24

FALSE - young to middle-aged

Question 25

What are the causes of Addison’s disease?

Answer 25

auto-immune
infiltrative disease (cancer, cells found in a place it shouldn’t be)
idiopathic
iatrogenic steroids

Question 26

What happens in Addison’s disease?

Answer 26

loss of aldosterone
loss of cortisol

Question 27

When there is a loss of aldosterone in Addison’s disease, there is an [increase/decrease] in K+, [increase/decrease] in blood volume, [increase/decrease] in Na+. What else are symptoms?

Answer 27

increase
decrease
decrease
brachycardia
irregular heartbeat
circulatory collapse

Question 28

A loss of cortisol in Addison’s disease causes

Answer 28

decreased gluconeogenesis
decreased blood glucose

Question 29

What is the treatment for Addison’s disease?

Answer 29

saline/dextrose solutions
dexamethasone
insulin (as long as glucose is administered, mineral corticoids)

Question 30

What is the primary form of hyperaldosteronism?

Answer 30

can have idopathic hyperplasia (bilateral)
- tumor (unilateral or bilateral)

Question 31

What is the secondary form of hyperaldosteronism?

Answer 31

liver disease
kidney disease (activate RAAS pathway, reabsorbs lots of Na+ and H2), increase blood pressure)

Question 32

What are clinical signs of hyperaldosteronism?

Answer 32

increased ECF volume, increased renal perfusion pressure

Question 33

What adrenal cortex dysfunction is common in cats?

Answer 33

hyperaldosteronism

Question 34

Define Alopecia X

Answer 34

elevation in androgens and/or sex steroids

Question 35

What breeds is alopecia x common in?

Answer 35

Pomeranian, poodles, yorkies, nordic breeds

Question 36

T/F: Alopecia X only affects males.

Answer 36

FALSE - affects both

Question 37

What is another name for alopecia X?

Answer 37

atypical hyperadrenocorticism

Question 38

What happens during alopecia x?

Answer 38

hair cycle arrest
growth-hormone responsive alopecia
castration-responsive alopecia

Question 39

Where does hair loss first begin?

Answer 39

trunk and caudal thighs
guard hairs lost first

Question 40

What happens to the skin in alopecia x?

Answer 40

it becomes hyper pigmented