Adrenal Gland Flashcards
adrenal gland produces 3 classes of steroid hormones
- mineralocorticoids - aldosterone
- glucocorticoids - cortisol
- adrenal androgens
adrenal gland produces 2 catecholamine hormones
- epinephrine
2. norepinephrine
adrenal medulla is composed of 2 organs
- cortex
2. medulla
cortex is the
outer layer
cortex is derived from the
mesoderm
the cortex produces
cholesterol derived steroid hormones
the medulla is the
inner later
the medulla is derived from the
neural crest
the medulla produces the
catecholamine hormones
secretion of cortisol is exclusively under the control of the
pituitary ACTH
production of ACTH is under
hypothalamic control
ACTH exerts its action on adrenal cortex by activating
adenylate cyclase
4 specific action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex - 1. stimulation of the rate-liming step catalyzed by
the side-chain cleavage enzyme
4 specific action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex - 2. Stimulation of ___ and the other enzymes required fro corticosteroid synthesis
11 - beta- hydroxylase
4 specific action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex - 3. stimulation of ____ uptake from the plasma
cholesterol
4 specific action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex - 4. Stimulation of cholesterol ester hydrolysis
generates free cholesterol
glucocorticoids positively or negatively affect their own synthesis?
negatively by suppressing ACTH production
Glucocorticoid affect on carbohydrate metabolism
increase blood glucose levels
glucocorticoid affect on protein metabolism
inhibit protein synthesis + increase protein breakdown
glucocorticoid effect on lipid metabolism
increase lipolysis in peripheral adipose beds
glucocorticoid effect on inflammation and the immune system
complex
a vast majority of cortisol is metabolized in the
liver
the primary action of aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) is to
increase blood pressure
the rate limiting step of catecholamines is
tyrosine hydroxylase
catecholamines are metabolized by two things
COMT, MAO
Factors that stimulate the release of catecholamines
flight/fight anxiety pain trauma hypertension anoxia hypoglycemia exercise extreme temperature
catecholamine affect on cardiovascular/circulatory system
increase rate and force of cardiac contraction
catecholamine affect on the nervous system
increased alertness
increased nerve activity
catecholamine affect on metabolism
increase blood glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies, metabolic rate
catecholamine affect on digestive system
decreases GI motility + secretion
cushion’s syndrome is caused by
excess glucoriticoid
symptoms of cushion’s syndrome include
- Truncal adiposity – abdomen, neck, facies
- Hypertension
- Loss of subcutaneous adipose
- Reduced bone density
- Muscle weakness
- Hyperglycemia
pheochromocytoma is a
tumor of the adrenal medulla
what is pheochromocytoma associated with
severe hypertension
additions disease is caused by
deficiency of glucocorticoids, its an autoimmune disease
symptoms of addison’
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Hypoglycemia -Due to lack of glucocorticoid
- Hypotension -Absence of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid
- Hyperkalemia -Lack of aldosterone
what is increased in circulation in addison’s disease?
ACTH
what do you use to manage addison’s?
hormone therapy
