endocrine - adrenal gland Flashcards
Complex of N/NE with ATP, Ca and proteins inside the granules.
Chromogranins
Synthesis of epinephrine
- Transport of tyrosine into chromaffin cells cytoplasm
- Hydroxylation of tyrosine into DOPA
- DOPA to dopamine
- Transport of dopamine into chromaffin granules (secretory vesicles)
- Dopa to norepi within chromaffin granules as chromogranins
- Norepi diffuses out of granule thru facilitated diffusion
- Methylation of norepi to epi
- Transport of epi back into granules
Reduces osmotic burden of storing individual molecule of epi with chromaffin granules
Chromogranins
Important in biogenesis on secretory vesicles and organization of components within vesicles
Chromogranins
Secretion of noepi and epi is regulated by
Descending sympa signals in response to stress.
Hypothalamus and brain stem send a chemical signal as ACTH to bind to nicotinic receptor in chromaffin cells which increases acty of tyrosine hydroxylase and B-hydroxylase in which stimulates exocytosis of granules
Mechanism of action of catecholamine
Exerted thru adrenergic receptor
Tissue distribution and potency agonist:
a1 receptor
Adrenergic post synaptic nerve terminals
Norepi=epi
Tissue distribution and potency agonist:
a2 receptor
Adrenergic pre synaptic terminals
Norepi=epi
Tissue distribution and potency agonist:
B1 receptor
Heart
Epi=norepi
Tissue distribution and potency agonist:
B2 receptor
Liver
Epi>norepi
Tissue distribution and potency agonist:
B3 receptor
Adipose tissue
Norepi>epi
2 primary degradation enzymes of catecholamine
- Monoamine oxidase MAO
2. Catechol-O-methyltransferae COMT
Degradation enzyme of catecholamine that predominates in neuronal mitochondria
MAO
Degradation enzyme of catecholamine that predominates as methylation of Norepi/epi in non-neuronal tissue
COMT
Degradation enzyme of catecholamine that is predominant
COMT
Metabolism of catecholamine
Draw!
Chromaffin cell tumor that produce, store, metabolize and secrete catecholamine (in excess).
Causing irregular secretion of epi and norepi leading to attacks of raised bp, palpitations, and headache.
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is majorly bilateral/ unilateral?
90% unilateral and sporadic
Clinical features of pheochromocytoma
Sweating Hypertension Headaches Anxiety/fear Forceful heartbeat with or without tachycardia Flushing Fatigue Tremors
In pheochromocytoma, hypertension is mainly due to
Increased peripheral resistance
In pheochromocytoma, lability of Bp is caused by
Episodic catecholamine release
Impaired Symphathetic reflex
Unrecognized chronic volume expansion
Biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma
Catecholamine excess
Urinary fractionated metaphrenine or plasma free metaphrenine will predict size and location of tumor
How is blood collection done in diagnosis of pheochromocytoma?
Supine for 20min
Overnight fast
No nicotine, alcohol within 12hrs
Avoid acetaminophen, TCA and phrnoxybenzamine
Imaging of choice for pheochromocytoma
CT scan
Imaging of choice in pheochromocytoma preferred for extra adrenal, pregnant, children and those allergic to contrast.
MRI
Imaging of choice in pheochromocytoma if there is metastasis, previous operation or for familial, multiple pheochromocytoma
MIBG - 1st choice, gets into cell but not metabolized in cell
PET scan - metabolized further in cell
Largest and most Steroidogenic zone in adrenal Cortex
Zona fasciculata
Rate-limiting enzyme in Steroidogenesis
Cyp11A1