Endocrine Physiology Flashcards
What is the embryology of the pancreas?
At junction of foregut and midgut 2 pancreatic buds (dorsal and ventral) are generated and eventually fuse to form pancreas
•Exocrine functions begins after birth
•Endocrine (hormone) functions from 10-15 weeks
What is the anatomy of the pancreas?
Retroperitoneal, posterior to greater curvature of stomach
•12-15cm long, head is near C-portion of duodenum
•Secretions pass into small ducts, then
How are the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancrease different?
Formed of small clusters of glandular epithelial cells
•98-99% of cells are clusters called acini
•Exocrine activity performed by acinar cells
–Manufacture and secrete fluid and digestive enzymes, called pancreatic juice, which is released into the gut
•Endocrine activity performed by islet cells
–Manufacture and release several peptide hormones into portal vein
What happens at the endocrine pancreas?
Site of insulin and glucagon secretion at the islets of langerhan
- only 2-3% volume of total pancreas
How are the islets of langerhan heterogenous?
A-cells secrete glucagon
B-cells secrete insulin
Delta cells secrete somatostatin
What is the imp of the microstructure of the islets on its physiogical effects?
Secretes somatostatin, insulin and glucagon
paracrine ‘crosstalk’
between alpha and beta
cells is physiological,
i.e., local insulin
release inhibits glucagon
What peptides are secreted by the islets?
Insulin – polypeptide, 51 amino acids
–Reduces glucose output by liver, increases storage of glucose, fatty acids, amino acids
•Glucagon – 29 amino acid peptide
–Mobilises glucose, fatty acids and amino acids from stores
•These 2 hormones have reciprocal actions
•Somatostatin secreted from d cells – inhibitor
•Pancreatic Polypeptide – inhibit gastric emptying
How does insulin regulate carb metabolism?
Insulin
•Suppresses hepatic glucose output
– Glycogenolysis
– Gluconeogenesis
•Increases glucose uptake into insulin sensitive tissues
–Muscle – glycogen, and protein synthesis
–Fat – fatty acid synthesis
•Suppresses
–Lipolysis
–Breakdown of muscle (decreased ketogenesis)
How does glucagon regulate carb metabolism?
Glucagon - counterregulatory
•Increases hepatic glucose output
– Glycogenolysis
– Gluconeogenesis
•Reduces peripheral glucose uptake
•Stimulates peripheral release of gluconeogenic precursors (glycerol, AAs)
–Lipolysis
–Muscle glycogenolysis and breakdown
Other counterregulatory hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, growth hormone have similar
effects to glucagon and become relevant in certain disease states, including diabetes)
How is insulin secreted by cells?
KATP channel
Ca channels
Glut2 channels
ADP/ATP
What is proinsulin?
Proinsulin contains the A and B chains of insulin (21 and 30 amino acid residues respectively), joined by the C peptide.
•Disulfide bridges link a and B chains
•Presence of C peptide implies endogenous insulin production
What is biphasic insulin release?
B-cells sense rising glucose and aim to metabolise it
•First phase response is rapid release of stored product
•Second phase response is slower and as it is the release of newly synthesised hormone
How does insulin act in muscle and fat cells?
GLUT 4
Glucose enters cell
What is glucose homeostasis?
Glucose levels should remain constant
•Liver glycogen is a short-term glucose buffer
What is the response for low glucose?
Short term: split glycogen (glycogenolysis - glycogen -> glucose)
Long term: make glucose (gluconeogenesis) from amino acids/lactate
What is the response for high blood glucose?
Short term: make glycogen (glycogenesis) glucose-> glycogen
Long-term: make triglycerides (lipogenesis)
What is glucose sensing?
Primary glucose sensors are in the pancreatic islets
•Also in medulla, hypothalamus and carotid bodies
•Inputs from eyes, nose, taste buds, gut all involved in regulating food
•Sensory cells in gut wall also stimulate insulin release from pancreas - incretins
What are incretins?
Insulin response is greater following oral glucose than intravenous glucose despite similar plasma glucose concentrations
•Gut hormones stimulating insulin release are called incretins, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic peptide(GIP)
What are postprandial glucose levels regulated by?
- Increase in Insulin
Rising plasma glucose stimulates pancreatic B-cells to secrete insulin - Decreasing glucagon
Plasma glucose inhibits glucagon secretion by pancreatic a-cells - Decrease in gastric emptying
Delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying is a major determinant of postprandial glycaemic excursion
What cleaves GLP-1?
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) cleaves GLP-1
Half-life of GLP-1 ~1-2mins
DPPIV prevents hypoglycaemia
How is CHO metabolism regulated in the fasting stage?
In the fasting state, all glucose comes from liver
–Breakdown of glycogen
–Gluconeogenesis (utilises 3 carbon precursors to synthesise glucose including lactate, alanine and glycerol)
•Glucose is delivered to insulin independent tissues, brain and red blood cells
•Insulin levels are low
•Muscle uses FFA for fuel
•Some processes are very sensitive to insulin, even low insulin levels prevent unrestrained breakdown of fat
How is CHO metabolism regulated in the postprandial stage?
After feeding (post prandial) - physiological need to dispose of a nutrient load
•Rising glucose (5-10 min after eating) stimulates 5-10 fold increase in insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon
•40% of ingested glucose goes to liver and 60% to periphery, mostly muscle
•Ingested glucose helps to replenish glycogen stores both in liver and muscle
•Excess glucose is converted into fats
•High insulin and glucose levels suppress lipolysis and levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA or FFA) fall
What is hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaermia?
Low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) stimulates release of glucagon
High blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) stimulates release of insulin
How does glucagon act on liver?
Glucagon acts on liver to:
–Convert glycogen into glucose
–Form glucose from lactic acid and amino acids
What inhibits glucagon release?
If blood glucose continues to rise, hyperglycaemia inhibits release of glucagon
How does insulin act on various cells?
Insulin acts on various cells to:
–Accelerate facilitated diffusion of glucose into cells
–Speed conversion of glucose into glycogen
–Increase uptake of amino acids and increase protein synthesis
–Speed synthesis of fatty acids
–Slow glycogenolysis
–Slow gluconeogenesis
What inhibits insulin release?
If blood glucose continues to fall, hypoglycaemia inhibits release of insulin
What is diabetes mellitus?
A disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterised by hyperglycaemia
What is the incretin effect?
GLP-1 analogues
DPPIV inhibitors
What is the pathogenesis of diabetes ,mellitus?
What is the pathogenesis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
- Absent insulin secretion
- No hepatic insulin effect
- Unrestrained glucose + ketone production
- More glucose enters blood
- Hyperglycaemia and raised plasma ketones
- No muscle/fat insulin effect
- Impaired glucose clearance + muscle/fat less glucose breakdown
- Breakdown of tissue
- Glycosuria and ketonuria
What is endocrinology?
Study of hormones
A hormone is a substance secreted directly into the blood by specialised cells
Hormones are present in only minute concentrations in the blood and bind specific receptors in target cells to influence cellular reactions
How do hormones work?
Stimulus-> gland -> (hormone synthesis, release and transport) hormone A-> (binding specific receptor, cell signalling) target tissue -> action
-> Hormone B (usually -ve)-> gland
What are the actions of these hormones: insulin, cortisol, testosterone, oestrogen, thyroxine, adrenaline, aldosterone, progesterone, glucagon and VIP?
What are the endocrine glands?
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Thyroid
Parathyroids
Adrenals
Pancreas
Ovary
Testes
What are the endocrine organs?
Heart
Liver
Fat
Kidney
Intestines - largest endocrine organ
Skin
What is the structure of hormones?
E.g. cortisol, peptides and thyroid hormones
What are all steroid hormones synthesised from?
Cholesterol
What are catecholamines synthesised from?
Tyrosine
What occurs in thyroid hormone synthesis?
What is the storage and secretion of hormones like?
Storage and secretion:
Peptides and proteins
Day
Exocytosis
Steroids and pseudo steroids
Min-hour
Diffusion
Thyroid hormones
Weeks
Proteolysis
Catecholamines
Days
Exocytosis
What is the binding protein, 1/2 life and time of action of hormones
Peptides and proteins
Some
Min-hour
Min-hour
Steroids and pseudo steroids
All
Hours
Hours-day
Thyroid hormones
Yes
Days
Day
Catecholamines
No
Sec-min
Sec
How do hormones exert their effect?
Cell surface receptors e.g. G protein coupling e.g. insulin
•Intracellular receptors e.g. cortisol
How are hormones modified within cells?
How do hormones affect us?
Pre-menstrual tension
•Pregnancy – post natal depression
•Puberty
•High dose steroids – psychosis
•Hypogonadism – poor libido
•Insulinoma - behaviour
What are the basic actions of thyroid, parathyroid, cortisol, aldosterone, catecholamines, oestradiol, testosterone, insulin, ANP and vitamin D hormones?
Thyroid - basal metabolic rate, growth
Parathyroid - Ca 2+ regulation
Cortisol - glucose regulation, inflammation
Aldosterone - BP, Na+ regulation
Catecholamines - BP, stress
Oestradiol - menstruation, femininity
Testosterone - sexual function, masculinity
Insulin - glucose regulation
ANP - Na+ regulation
Vitamin D - Ca2+ regulation
How are hormone concentrations measured?
Bioassays
Immunoassays
Mass spectrometry
What are the anterior pituitary hormones?
ACTH - regulation of adrenal cortex
TSH - thyroid hormone regulation
GH - growth, metabolism
LH/FSH - reproductive control
PRL - breast milk production
What are the posterior pituitary hormones?
ADH - water regulation
Oxytocin - breast milk expression
How does the feedback principle work with pituitary hormones?
What is thyrotoxicosis?
What is Cushing disease/syndrome?
What IS Acromegaly?
What are some local effects of pituitary disease?
Huge pituitary tumour acromegaly squashing Optic chasm and rest of pituitary
What is bitemporal hemianopia?
Visual field loss due to damage to optic chiasm
What is the available treatement for thyrotoxicosis?
•Destruction of thyroid tissue using radioiodine (131I)
•Antithyroid drugs to block hormone synthesis
•Partial surgical ablation of thyroid
What are some Durga to treat functioning pituitary tumour?
Somatostatin analogues
•Dopamine agonists
•GH receptor antagonists
What are some examples of too little production of glands?
Several hypothyroidism
Iron deficiency
- goitre - -ve consequence of -ve feedback
Adrenal insufficiency - addisons disease
What treatement do under active glands need?
Hormone replacement therapy:
Underactive thyroid – thyroxine
•Underactive adrenals – hydrocortisone(cortisol) + fludrocortisone (synthetic aldosterone analogue)
•(Premature) menopause – oestrogen replacement
•Underactive testes - testosterone
Is all endocrinology gland based?
No:
Carcinoid disease
•Small cell lung cancer
•Liver secondaries
•Flushing
•Wheezing
•Diarrhoea
•Valvular heart disease
What is the pituitary gland like?
Pea-sized
Weighs ca. 0.5 g
Secretes hormones in response to signals from hypothalamus
What is the blood supply of the ant. Pituitary?
The anterior pituitary has no arterial blood supply but receives blood through a portal venous circulation from the hypothalamus
What are the diff hormones In the ant. Pit vs post. Pit?
Anterior lobe
ACTH
TSH
GH
LH
FSH
Prolactin
Posterior lobe
Vasopressin
(AVP),
Oxytocin
What ate the anterior pituitary hormon types and function?
Pituitary Hormone - Hormone - Type Function
- TSH - Glycoprotein - Thyroid hormone synthesis
- FSH - Glycoprotein - Egg / sperm development
- Luteinising hormone (LH) - Glycoprotein - Sex steroid synthesis/ ovulation
- ACTH - adrenocorticotrophic hormone - Polypeptide - Guncragenproducton + adrenal/androgen production
- Growth Hormone (GH) - Polypeptide - linear growth, CHO metabolism, bone mass
- Prolactin - Polypeptide - Lactation
What is the hypothalamus?
Collection of brain ‘nuclei’
•Connections to almost all other areas of the brain
•Important for homeostasis
–primitive functions
–appetite, thirst, sleep, temperature regulation
•Control of autonomic function via brainstem autonomic centres
•Control of endocrine function via pituitary
What is the hypothalmic-hypophyseal portal system in the anterior?
What is the hypothalmic-hypophyseal portal system in the anterior?
What are the hypothalamic hormones?
- Hormone released (pituitary): / 2. releasing hormone (hypothalamus):
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) - Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
- Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) - Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
- Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH) - Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH or LHRH)
- Luteinising hormone (LH) - Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH or LHRH)
- Growth Hormone (GH) - GH releasing hormone (GHRH)
(Somatostatin – inhibitory) - Prolactin - Dopamine (inhibitory)
What is the importance of negative feedback?
ACTH/cortisol
Stress, cytokines diurnal rhythms -> hypothalamus (CRH+)->pituitary (ACTH+) -> adrenal -> cortisol -> tissue action
Back to ——> pituitary and hypothalamus
What is the only anterior pituitary hormone that doesn’t have negative feedback?
Prolactin
What are the effects of ACTH on adrenal size?
Deficiency - smaller emdulla and cortex
Excess - larger medulla and cortex
What does ACTH regulate?
ACTH regulates glucocorticoid synthesis:
•Acutely stimulates cortisol release
•Stimulates corticosteroid synthesis (and capacity)
•CRH stimulates ACTH release
•Negative feedback of cortisol on CRH and ACTH production
How are glucocorticoid levels regulated?
What is the diurnal rhythm of circulating cortisol?
What is the cortisol circadian rhythm?
Released throughout life
Pulsatile
Stimulated by low glucose, exercise, sleep
Suppressed by hyperglycaemia
Effects mediated by GH and IGF1
What is the GH like?
Released throughout life
Pulsatile
Stimulated by low glucose, exercise, sleep
Suppressed by hyperglycaemia
Effects mediated by GH and IGF1
What are the actions of the GH?
Linear growth in children
•Acquisition of bone mass
•Stimulates:
•protein synthesis
•lipolysis (fat breakdown)
•glucose metabolism
•Regulation of body composition
•Psychological well-being
How are thyroid hormone levels regulated?
Negative feedback loop between TSH and thyroxine
In pituitary failure both TSH and thyroxine are low
(in a case of underactive thyroid, where thyroid and not pituitary is problem, thyroxine is low and TSH rises to stimulate thyroid)
What is the female HPG axis?
What are the LH/FSH importance?
Essential for reproductive cycle
•LH stimulates sex hormone secretion
•FSH stimulates development of follicles
•Absence leads to infertility and hypogonadism
What is the male HPG axis?
What is the control of prolactin?
Synthesised in lactotrophs
•Regulation of PRL different to other anterior pituitary homones
•Negative regulation by tonic release in inhibiting factor - dopamine
What is the imp of prolactin?
Essential for lactation
•Levels increase dramatically in pregnancy and during breast-feeding – do not test at these times
•Inhibits gonadal activity through central suppression of GnRH (and thus decreased LH/FSH)
•Mainly causes disease when present in excess
What is hyperprolactinaemia like physiologically?
Physical or psychological stress
•Post seizure
•Greater in women
•Rarely exceeds 850 – 1000 mU/L
•PRL has circadian rhythm with peak during sleep
What are the clinical features of hyperprolactaemia ?
Usually easy to recognise in pre-menopausal women
•Less apparent in men & post-menopausal women
•Pre-menopausal women
○Hypogonadism
●Oligo/amennorrhoea
●Oestrogen deficiency
○Galactorrhoea – spontaneous/ expressible
•Post-menopausal women
○Due to hypogonadal status – none of the above
What is the pathology of hyperprolactinaemia?
PRL-secreting pituitary tumours – prolactinomas
○Microadenoma (< 1 cm diameter)
○Macroadenoma (≥1 cm diameter)
Loss of inhibitory effect hypothalamic DA
○Pituitary stalk compression/ pituitary disconection
Drugs – DA antagonists
○Phenothiazines, metoclopramide, TCAs, verapamil
Hypothyrodism
What are the diseases of the pituitary?
Benign pituitary adenoma
•Craniopharygioma
•Trauma
•Apoplexy / Sheehans
•Sarcoid / TB
What is craniopharyngioma?
How does the pituitary develop?
What can tumours cause?
Tumours cause:
1.Pressure on local structure e.g. optic nerves
●Bitemporal hemianopia
2.Pressure on normal pituitary
●hypopituitarism
3.Functioning tumour
●Prolactinoma
●Acromegaly
What are the local effects of the pituitary tumour?
Chiasmatic compression - cranial nerve damage, hypothalamic damage
Bony invasion - pain, CSF leaks
Why may a patient be unaware they have bitemporal hemianopia?
Patient can adjust for this by moving head more from side to
side to compensate, may not be aware of deficit
What does excess of pituitary hormones lead to?
ACTH – Leads to increased cortisol levels (Cushing’s disease)
•GH – Leads to increased GH and IGF-1 levels (Acromegaly)
•LH or FSH – Very rare! Might stop periods (Gonadotrophinoma)
•TSH – Leads to thyrotoxicosis. Very rare cause!
•Prolactin – Leads to galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea
•(Prolactinoma)
What does excess of pituitary hormones lead to?
ACTH – Leads to increased cortisol levels (Cushing’s disease)
•GH – Leads to increased GH and IGF-1 levels (Acromegaly)
•LH or FSH – Very rare! Might stop periods (Gonadotrophinoma)
•TSH – Leads to thyrotoxicosis. Very rare cause!
•Prolactin – Leads to galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea
•(Prolactinoma)
What is prolactin microadenoma?
What is prolactin microadenoma?
What are prolcatinomas?
More common in women
•Present with galactorrhoea / amenorrhoea / infertility
•Loss of libido
•Visual field defect
•Treatment dopamine agonist eg Cabergoline or bromocriptine.
What is an acromegaly?
GH excess
•Leads to increased Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 production in the liver
•Both GH and IGF1 increase growth of a range of soft and hard tissues
•>98% due to a pituitary tumour, often large
What are the symptoms of acromegaly?
Symptoms:
Sweating
Headaches
Aching (osteoarthritis)
Snoring/sleep apnoea
Those of hypopituitarism