EndoAdrenal

Question 1

pituitary hormone

Answer 1

anterior pit - ACTH = regulates adrenal gland

Question 2

adrenal gland zone

Answer 2

zona glomerulosa - aldosterone
zona fasciculata zona reticularis - cortisol and androgens
medulla - catecholamines

Question 3

Z. Glomerulosa

Answer 3

Mineralocorticoid Pathway
aldosterone
deoxycorticosterone

Question 4

Z. fasciculata

Answer 4

Glucocorticoid Pathway
cortisol
corticosterone

Question 5

Z. reticularis

Answer 5

Androgen Pathway
DHEA
androstenedione

Question 6

why does glucocorticoids have anti-inflammatory response? and what does it do?

Answer 6

• for rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, insect bites)
  inhibit local reaction to injury (e.g., capillaries dilation, phagocytosis); reduce local release of degradative enzymes;
  decrease fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition

Question 7

why does glucocorticoids have immunosuppressive response? and what does it do?

Answer 7

prevent organ/graft rejection; manage allergic disorders) inhibit IL-1 production by macrophages, hence decrease T cell recruitment;
inhibit IL-2 production from T Helper cells, hence reduce both T & B cell formation;
induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) of T cells.

Question 8

why is having the immuosuppresive and anti-inflammatory response for a long time damaging in the long run?

Answer 8

Considerations for a patient on long term use of glucocorticoids:
Impaired body’s defence against infections, etc.
loss of bone mass (why?)
atrophy of the adrenal (negative feedback on pituitary-adrenal axis) other metabolic effects (e.g., hyperglycemia)