Endocrine 4: posterior pituitary, HPL Flashcards
Describe the structure and processing of AVP/OXY.
- nonapeptide (9 AA)
- AVP and OXY only differ by 2 AA
- copeptide = Neurophysin
- –AVP + NPII
- –OXY + NPI
Which hypothalamic nucleus does AVP come from?
PVN and SON
What is the difference between PVN magnocellular neurons and parvocellular neurons?
Magnocellular Neurons - extend to posterior pituitary and are involved in osmoregularity
Parvocellular Neurons - extends to the ME and are involved in stress and anxiety
When is the AVP copeptide cleaved?
neurophysin is cleaved during axonal transport (in the secretory vesicles)
Describe the mechanism of how changes in plasma osmolarity stimulate AVP release.
- Normally, osmoreceptors in the brain are inhibiting magnocellular neurons (no AVP)
- increase osmolarity (many solutes, little water) pulls water out of cells
- osmoreceptors shrink and relieve inhibition of magnocellular neurons
- AVP released and acts on the distal tubule and collecting duct of the kidney to increase water reabsorption
Describe the mechanism by which changes in blood volume stimulate AVP release.
- Normally, baroreceptors are firing at a high frequency
- loss of blood volume leads to decreased MAP
- decreased MAP causes lower frequency baroreceptor stimulation
- increases sympathetic tone and activates magnocellular neurons to release AVP
What is the biggest stimulus for AVP release?
- changes in osmolarity (very sensitive)
- blood volume (less sensitive; increases sensitivity to osmolarity)
Describe the mechanism of AVP in vasculature.
- AVP binds to V1R receptor (GPCR)
- activation of phospholipase C => IP3 and intracellular calcium
- calcium binds to calmodulin
- activation of MLC Kinase
- contraction of smooth muscle => vasoconstriction
Describe the mechanism of AVP in nephrons.
- AVP binds to V2R receptor (GPCR)
- activation of PKA
- increased synthesis of aquaporin 2 channels
- aquaporin 2 channels are expressed on the apical membrane of the DT and collecting duct
- increased water reabsorption from the lumen => water regulation
What are the primary symptoms of diabetes insipidus?
- polyuria: through the night
- polydipsia: drinking lots of water
- NO POLYPHAGIA
What are the primary etiologies of diabetes insipidus?
central - decreased AVP release (most common)
nephrogenic - decreased renal responsiveness to AVP
What are causes of central diabetes insipidus?
at the level of the pituitary or hypothalamus
- tumor
- infection
- cancer
What are causes of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
- genetic: X-linked AVP type 2 receptor (present in males)
- acquired: lithium treatment or hypokalemia (more common)
What is unique about diabetes insipidus caused by decreased renal responsiveness?
AVP levels remain normal
How does lithium treatment or hypokalemia affect AVP function?
Lithium treatment: lithium gets trapped in renal cells and interferes with AVP trafficking of aquaporins or increases lysosomal degradation of aquaporins
hypokalemia: interferes with countercurrent regulation of kidney
How do you differentiate between the 2 types of diabetes insipidus?
water restriction test
- administer AVP => urination and thirst stops === central
- administer AVP => symptoms continue === nephrogenic b/c no receptor or other factors so can’t have impact
What are the functions/stimuli of oxytocin?
- uterine contractions due to uterine stretch at the end of pregnancy
- milk production due to suckling
What is pitocin?
oxytocin mimetic used to induce labor
Describe the mechanism of oxytocin action.
- binds to oxytocin receptor in breast or uterine tissue (same receptor)
- phospholipase C => ca-calmodulin => MLC K
- activated myosin