Endocrine Flashcards
Functions of the endocrine system
- Regulate metabolism, water and electrolyte balance
- Allow body to cope with stress
- Regulate growth
- Control reproduction
- Regulate circulation and RBC production
- Control digestion and absorption of food
3 types of hormones
Peptides, amines (catecholamines and thyroid hormone) and steroids
Basics characteristics of peptides
- Chains of amino acids
- ADH, GH
- Stored prior to release
- Hydrophilic
- Fast acting as it is easily stored in vesicle
Basics characteristics of peptides
- Chains of amino acids
- ADH, GH
- Stored prior to release
- Hydrophilic
- Fast acting as it is easily stored in vesicle
Basics characteristics of amines
- Derived from amino acid tyrosine
- All are stored
- Either hydrophilic in case of catecholamines (A, NA, dopamine) or lipophilic in thyroid hormone
Basics characteristics of steroids
- Derived from cholesterol when the appropriate conversion enzymes are present eg cortisol, testosterone or oestrogens
- Lipophilic
- Not stored, released by diffusion
Hydrophilic hormones in blood and action
(peptides and catecholamines)
- Transported in blood dissolved in plasma (some carried on binding proteins)
- Cant pass through cell membrane (lipophobic) therefore binds to receptor on cell surface
- Elicit response either by changing cell permeability or activating second messenger system (more common) to alter activity of intracellular proteins
- Vulnerable to metabolic inactivation so short term but fast responses
Lipophilic hormones in blood and action
(thyroid and steroids)
- Transported in blood mostly bound to plasma proteins where a small unbound amount is dissolved allowing it to be physiologically active.
- Free hormone easily passes through cell membrane where it binds to specific receptors within target cell ((normally in nucleus)
- Cause response by activating specific genes within target cell to cause formation or new intracellular proteins
- Less vulnerable to metabolic inactivation so effects last longer, this is due to being binded to plasma protein
5 key aspects of hormone activity regulation
- Secretion
- Transport
- Metabolism
- Excretion
- Target cell responsiveness
Control of hormone secretion
- Central
- Control by the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) through a cascade of hormone releases
- Affected by negative feedback loops, neuroendocrine reflexes (milk secretion/ejection from suckling) and rhythms (diurnal - times of the day, cortisol and melatonin)
- Fast, slow or long term responses
- Direct
- Endocrine cells response directly to changes in ECF substance levels (glucose, calcium ect)
- Very rapid response for critical needs
- Very tightly regulated
- Example is glucagon and insulin in response to glucose levels in the blood
Regulation of hormones via transport
This is especially relevant for lipophilic hormones
- Availability of binding proteins can be altered. Some of these are specific for a particular hormone while some are non specific. (increase or decrease number)
- Equilibrium between carrier bound hormone in equilibrium with free hormone
- These binding proteins are synthesised in the liver meaning a deficiency (from liver disease) alters this balance between bound and free hormones in plasma
Regulation of hormones via metabolism
- Some hormones are activated via metabolism (thyroid hormone) where they then have much greater activity
- Inactivation mostly occurs in the liver is usually unregulated but may be effected in liver disease
- Metabolism occurs at much higher rate for hydrophilic hormone because they’re unbound making them accessible to blood and tissue enzymes rather than bound lipophilic hormones
Regulation of hormones via excretion
- Usually unregulated - makes urinary levels a good way to measure hormone levels
- Urinary excretion may be effected by kidney or urinary disease
Regulation of hormones via target cell responsiveness
- Amplification of hormones by using second messenger cascade
- Variations in receptor expression on target cell (number and type can be varied)
- Permissiveness, synergism and antagonism
- Presence or absence of one hormone can influence effects of another through receptor regulation, activation or inactivation
Hypothalamus to posterior pituitary
- Hypothalamus is able to act directly on the post
- Posterior is neural tissue (extension of the brain)
- Causes the release of two hormones:
- Vasopressin (ADH)
- Oxytocin
Hypothalamus to anterior pituitary
- Endocrine tissues (not neural) meaning that neurons from the hypothalamus secret releasing and inhibitory hormones into capillaries which will then have an effect on the anterior pituitary.
- There are releasing and inhibitory factors for all of the hormones secrete in ant pituitary
Hormones of anterior pituitary (4-2)
- Trophic hormones stimulate the activity of another endocrine gland - ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH
- Hormones that have a direct effect (prolactin and GH)
Aside from GH what else can influence growth
- Genetics
- Dietary impact (mainly AAs)
- Chronic disease or stressful environment as cortisol inhibits growth
- Other hormones such as thyroid hormone, insulin and sex steroids
Growth hormone secretion
Centrally controlled - increased by GHRH and decreased by somatostatin
Secretion is pulsatile with pulses during the day and more at night
Anabolic and metabolic actions of GH
Anabolic:
- Increase thickness and length of long bones
- Increase size and number of cells in soft tissue
Metabolic:
- Increases fat breakdown/increases circulating fatty acids
- Decreases glucose uptake by muscle
- These both increases available energy
GH MOI overview
Most tissues respond directly to growth hormone via Gh receptors - metabolism effects
Some effects are due to IGFs release at the liver after GH binding
Some are due to local release of IGFs at tissues
Indirectly mediated by somatomedins seen to have growth effects
Some are due to local production of GH in target tissue
IGF = somatomedins
Direction actions of GH by GH receptors (metabolism)
Muscle
- Stimulate AA uptake and decrease glucose uptake
- Inhibits proteins breakdown
- Increase and maintain muscle mass
Adipose tissue
- Stimulate lipolysis and decrease glucose uptake
- Causes a decrease in fat deposits
Liver
- Increases proteins synthesis and gluconeogenesis
- Therefore increase in metabolism
Indirection actions of GH through somatomedins (growth)
IGF-1
- Proliferation of chondrocytes at epiphyseal plates which will increase bone length
- Increases osteoblast activity to produce matrix = increase bone thickness
- Promotes soft tissue growth through hyperplasia (number) and hypertrophy (size)
IGF-2
- Promotes soft tissue and organ growth by increasing protein, RNA and DNA synthesis
Overall action of GH
Release nutrients so grow can occur and then stimulate this growth
In adolesces and people in growth stages this causes true growth
In adults this maintains muscle mass
Factors effecting synthesis and release of GH
GHRH causing release and GHIH (somatostatin) have already been mentioned, as well as feedback on GH +/- somatomedins is considered.
Also influenced by:
- Thyroid hormones - low TH = low growth
- Glucocorticoids - excess inhibits growth
- Sex steroids - synergistic important for growth spurt but iltimately promote close of epiphyses
- Insulin - deficiency = low growth while excess = higher growth
Excess GH
- GH hypersecretion in children = gigantism. Body proportions are normal
- GH hypersecretion in adults = acromegaly. The epiphyses are closed so cant get taller but patient has enlarged extremities (bones in hands, feet and face). Thickening soft tissue causes malformed or coarse facial features such as enlarge tongue, thickened lips or deep voice. Normally occurs due to pituitary tumor.
GH deficiency
- Hypo secretion in adult = no major symptoms
- Hyposecretion in children = pituitary dwarfism. Normally lack GH or GHRH, leads to short build and poor muscle development with excess subcutaneous fat (may appear normal in adults). If found early then replacement therapy can be used.
Calcium throughout the body
99% of calcium is in bones and teeth.
0.9% intracellular
0.1% extracellular - half of this is bound to plasma protein and the other half is free making it biologically active. This needs to be constantly maintained.
Most ingested Ca is not absorbed by GIT but lost in faeces.
Calcium regulation
Depends on hormonal control
Concerned with the balance maintained between ECF and three body compartments (GIT, Kidney and Bone)
Note the exchangeable and stable pool of calcium in bone. Cane be moved between suing resorption and deposition.
Three main hormones regulate Ca metabolism:
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Vitamin D
- Calcitonin
- Others include steroids, TH, GH and local factors
Acute and chronic control of calcium
Acute control:
- Maintain constant free Ca concentration in plasma
- Mostly by rapid exchange between bone and ECF
Chronic control:
- Maintain total Ca level in body long term
- Adjust GI absorption and urinary excretion
Bone cells
- Osteoblasts - synthesise and secret collagen and promote deposition of CaPO crystal (calcium phosphate)
- Osteoclasts - promote reabsorption
- Osteocytess - role in exchange of calcium between ECF and bone
Bone structure with reference to transfer
Bone fluid between mineralised cells and in the central canal
Bone is CaPO4 crystals
To be absorbed into ECF bone fluid needs to be moved to central canal via Ca pump on osteocyte
This process is much faster when done from the bone fluid rather than the mineralised bone
PTH secretion
Parathyroid glands are 4 small glands on the posterior surface of thyroid gland.
PTH is secreted from chief cells in direct response to changing plasma Ca concentrations. Increased Ca and decreased PO in plasma.
PTH is a peptide with a half life of <20 mins, has actions on bone, kidneys and GIT
PTH functions
Bone:
- Short term - stimulates Ca membrane pump in osteocytes so Ca moves from bone fluid to ECF in central canal
- Long term - stimulates osteoclasts (breakdown) and inhibits osteoblasts (no construction) so CA and PO increases in plasma
Kidney:
- Decreases Ca loss by increasing tubular reabsorption of CA and decreases tubular reabsorption of PO
GIT:
- Indirectly increases Ca and PO by increasing absorption by small intestine through activation of vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 function
- Produced either in the skin or ingested (50/50) and is activated by liver and kidney to vitamin D3
- Promotes absorption of Ca from intestine by increasing its transport across intestinal epithelium
- Promotes absorption of PO4 in intestine
- Increases bone resorption
- Stimulates Ca and PO reabsorption in kidneys
Therefore, maintains Ca and PO overall but is not fine control
Calcitonin function
- Produced in the C cells of the thyroid gland in response to high plasma Ca levels
- Decreases bone reabsorption by effecting osteoclasts
- Decreases CA reabsorption in kidneys
Therefore overall action is to decrease calcium and PO in plasma. Protects against hypercalcemia
Only produced when something is wrong, physiological role
PTH hypersecretion
- Most frequently caused by PTH secreting adenomas (tumors)
- Increased Ca mobilisation from bones causes softening and fractures
- Increased Ca excretion through kidneys causes polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and nephrocalcinosis (kidneys stones of calcium)
- Decreased excitability of nerves and muscles leads to weakness, depression and coma
- Hypercalcemia leads to nausea, constipation and increased incidence of peptic ulcers
Bones, stones and grones
PTH hyposecretion
- Most frequently caused by gland destruction, leads to severe hypocalcaemia
- Parathyroid glands are essential for life
- Hypocalcaemia causes increased nerve and muscle excitability
- Sever hypocalcaemia leads to death by asphyxiation via laryngospasm
- Mild hypocalcaemia causes cramps, twitches and tingles
Other causes of hypocalcaemia other than PTH hyposecretion
- High demand for Ca in pregnancy/lactation - causes tetany or paralysis
- Lack of vitamin D/sunlight - causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults
- Change in blood pH - alkalosis
- Pancreatitis
What is OP
Reduction in the mass (density) of bone and impairment of integrity of spongy bone
Weaker bone is prone to fracture
Progression from osteopenia to osteoporosis
Adolescent disease with a geriatric onset
- Bone mass gain is influence by genetic factors, physical activity, Ca intake and hormones - especially during growth phases
- Decreased bone mass and structural disruption leads to fractures even after minimal trauma
Risk factors for OP
- Poor nutrition (especially low calcium)
- Low oestrogen levels, early menopause or loss of normal menstruation
- Inadequate sunlight exposure (vitamin D deficiency)
- Smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine intake
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Low testosterone
- Corticosteroid use (anti inflammatory)
- Aortic calcifications
Function of Sertoli cells
- Leydig cells cells produces testosterone
- With support from testosterone and FSH maintain tight junctions to create the seminiferous tubules, sperm matures in these tubules
- Nourish germ cells and support spermatogenesis
- Secret androgen binding proteins (ABP)
- Secretes inhibit which inhibits the actions of LH and FSH
- Convert testosterone to DHT or oestradiol which is more potent