Adrenal glands - VS

Question 1

Word assx: glomerulosa

Answer 1

Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 2

Word assx: fasciculata

Answer 2

GLucocorticoids (Cortisol)

Question 3

Word assx: Reticulosum

Answer 3

Sex steroids (androgens)

Question 4

What percent of cortisol is unbound at any given time?

Answer 4

Less than 5-10%. (Bound to CBG, presumably cortisol binding globin)

Free hormone is the only thing that is regulated/sensed.

Question 5

Cortisol receptors are (cytosolic or membrane). What happens when cortisol binds?

Answer 5

Cytosolic receptor is bound to HSP90. Cortisol binding separates the receptor from HSP90. Receptor goes to the nucleus to regulate gene expression.

Question 6

Addisons disease.

Answer 6

Destruction of the adrenal gland. Causes low levels of cortisol and aldosterone. The pituitary increases ACTH as a compensatory response.

Question 7

Consider what if you see low ACTH, low cortisol, and normal aldosterone.

Answer 7

Hypopituitarism. Aldosterone stays normal due to RAAS axis cross-regulation. Low ACTH differentiates this from addison’s disease.

Question 8

What differentiates pituitary from adrenal cushings syndrome (hyperpituitarism)?

Answer 8

Pituitary (Cushings DISease)–> ACTH, cortisol both high. Aldosterone normal.

Adrenal–> ACTH is low, cortisol and aldosterone high.

Question 9

Release of epinephrine has a fast and a slow pathway. Describe the receptor and signalling pathway of each.

Answer 9

Nicotinic = fast (Nav, Cav)
Muscarinic = slow (Gq coupled)