Adrenocortical Function/Dysfunction Flashcards
Does adrenal cortex and medulla form together?
Nope. different origin, fused during development
Adrenal cortex is what kind of gland? secretes what in general?
true endocrine gland
secretes steroids
adrenal medulla is what kind of gland? secretes?
modified sympathetic ganglion secretes neurohormones (catecholamines)
Adrenal cortex, which layers secrete what?
- Glomerulosa: Aldosterone
- Fasciculata: Glucocorticoids
- Reticularis: Sex hormomes
Glucocorticoids example?
Cortisol
ACTH from anterior pituitary is tropic to which regions in adrenal?
Fasciculata
Reticularis
Example of mineralocorticoid?
Aldosterone via RAAS and plasma K+
What is produced in reticularis?
Androgens
Estrogens
DHEA
What is dehydroepiandrosterone?
precursor to androgens
different steroids and chemically related which leads to?
cross over effects eg. cortisol and aldosterone
Cortisol negative feedback to:
ACTH
CRH
Cortisol does what to immune system?
suppresses
Cortisol does what to muscle?
protein catabolism
Cortisol does what to adipose tissue?
lipolysis
Cortisol does what to liver?
gluconeogenesis
CRH not just for cortisol, what else can it mediate?
inhibit appetite
signal labour via placenta
mood disorders
What does urocortin do?
brain neuropeptide that decreases appetite
POMC is a what?
large protein prohormone
POMC stands for?
pro-opiomelanocortin
What do you get from POMC in pituitary? 3 things
- ACTH
- y-lipotropin
- B-endorphin
What happens to ACTH processing in non-pituitary tissues?
creates a-MSH
What is a-MSH? what does it do? 3 things
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (melanocortins)
- melanin synthesis
- immune response
- decrease food intake
Cortisol protect you how?
protects against hypoglycemia
when does cortisol peak? low?
Diurnal
peaks in morning
low night
Cortisol is permissive for?
glucagon
catecholamine
Cortisol does what to bone?
decrease absorption
increase excretion
bone breakdown
Cortisol as drug does what?
inhibit inflammatory response
prevent rejection of organ transplant
what happens in long term use of Cortisol?
inhibition of ACTH scretion and atrophy of cortisol secreting cells
When you go off prednisone or Cortisol analogue, how do you do it?
taper doses gradually
2 kinds of hyperaldosteronism is?
- primary: Conn’s Syndrome
2. Secondary: RAS
What does hyperaldosteronism cause? 3 things
- hypertension
- hypokalemia
- hypertension
2 kinds of excess cortisol is?
- Primary: Cushing Syndrome
2. Secondary: pituitary tumour: Cushing’s Disease
Adrenogenital syndrome cause?
lack of enzyme in cortisol steroidogenic pathway
Cushing’s fat deposits where?
Face
trunk
What are the red purple striate on trunk caused by in Cushing’s?
fat deposits
Why do you get Moon Face in Cushings?
excess glucocorticoid causing more mineralocortocoid action: salt and water retention
Adrenal hyposecretion common?
Less common than hypersecretion
CRH: low
ACTH: low
Cortisol: High
Adrenal cortex problem
Primary adrenal insufficiency is?
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is what kind of destruction?
Autoimmune destruction of adrenal cortex
CRH: low
ACTH: High
Cortisol: High
Anterior pituitary problem
What hormones affected in Addison’s?
Aldosterone K+retention (Cardiac arrhythmias, Na depletion (hypotension)
cortisol
Adrenal cortex problem levels of CRH, ACTH, Cortisol?
CRH: low
ACTH: low
Cortisol: High
If you have lack of adrenal steroid enzymes what can happen?
More androgens because no enzymes to make the cholesterol into cortisol or aldosterone
CRH: High
ACTH: High
Cortisol: High
hypothalamic problem
Secondary cortisol deficiency can be causee by?
abnormal hypothalamus/pituitary
What is made in adrenal medulla?
adrenaline
noradrenaline
hypothalamic problem levels of CRH, ACTH, Cortisol?
CRH: High
ACTH: High
Cortisol: High
What cells secrete the neurohormones in the adrenal medulla?
Chromaffin cells
Anterior pituitary problem levels of CRH, ACTH, Cortisol?
CRH: low
ACTH: High
Cortisol: High
What are catecholamines?
Adrenaline (epinephine)
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
Dopamine
What is PNMT (Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase)? where is it?
Only in adrenal medulla, converts Norepinephrine to epinephrine
Backbone molecule in catecholamines are?
Tyrosine
What does Pheochromocytomas do?
Tumour of hypersecretion of catecholamines
What is potentially deadly about adrenal medulla hypersecretion?
prolong hypertension
2 types of stress:
Acute
Chronic: cortisol: suppress immune system
Why is chronic stress bad?
impairs future response to acute or chronic stress