Endocrinology Flashcards
Endocrinology is the study of
hormones, their receptors, the intracellular signalling pathways and their associated diseases.
Endocrine glands are…
ductless and release hormones directly into the blood.
Endocrine glands allow
rapid adaptive changes, integration of whole body physiology, chronic maintenance of metabolic environment
Examples of endocrine glands
Thyroid, adrenal and beta cells of the pancreas
Exocrine glands secrete
through a duct to site of action
Examples of exocrine glands
submandibular, parotid, pancreas- amylase and lipase
3 types of hormone action
endocrine - blood-borne acting at distant sites
paracrine - acting on adjacent cells
autocrine - acts on itself
2 types of hormones
Water soluble
Fat soluble
Water soluble hormones
Transported unbound
Bind to surface receptor on cells
Short half-life
Cleared fast
Examples of water soluble hormones
Peptides and monoamines (both stored in vesicles before secretion)
Fat soluble hormones
Transported bound to protein
Diffuse into cells
Long half-life
Cleared slowly
Examples of fat soluble hormones
Thyroid hormone and steroids (synthesised on demand)
Hormone classes
Peptides e.g insulin
Amines e.g. dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline
Iodothyronines
Cholesterol derivatives and steroids
Hormone classes - peptides
E.g Insulin Stored in secretory granules Hydrophilic and water soluble Released in pulses or bursts Clearing by tissue
Synthesis of peptide hormone
Synthesis:
Preprohormone –> prohormone
Packaging:
Prohormone –> hormone
Storage and secretion:
hormone
Insulin activation
- Binds to insulin receptors
- Results in phosphorylation of the receptor and the activation of secondary messenger - Tyrosine kinase
- Phosphorylation of signal molecules
- Cascade effect
- Glucose uptake
Amine synthesis from Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine –> L-Tyrosine –> L-Dopa –> Dopamine –> noradrenaline –> adrenaline
Noradrenaline and adrenaline are broken down by
COMT (Catechol-O-methyl transferase)
Noradrenaline and adrenaline are broken down into
Normetanephrine and metanephrine.
Serum levels of these acts as indicators for the activity of noradrenaline and adrenaline.
NAd and Ad binding to alpha receptors causes
VasoConstriction
Bowel muscle contraction
Sweating
Anxiety
NAd and Ad binding to beta receptors causes
VasoDilation
Increase heart rate
Increases force of contractility
Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles
Iodothyronines are not
water soluble so are bound to protein (Thyroid-binding globulin TBG)
T3
More active
T4
Less active but more is produced
Cholesterol derivative - Vitamin D
Fat soluble
Enters cell directly to bind to nucleus and stimulate mRNA production
Transported by vitamin D binding protein
Adrenocortical and gonadal steroid examples
cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone.
95% protein bond
Hormone receptor locations and examples
Cell membrane - peptide e.g. insulin
Cytoplasm - steroids:
- Cortisol
- aldosterone
- Androgens e.g. testosterone
- Progesterone
Nucleus - thyroid hormones:
- Thyroid hormones
- Oestrogen
- Vitamin
Hormone secretion patterns
Continuous release e.g prolactin
Pulsatile e.g. insulin
Circadian rhythm e.g. ACTH, prolactin, GH, TSH, cortisol
GH is inhibited by
Somatostatin and GHRH (negative feedback)
5 ways to control hormone action
- Hormone metabolism
- Hormone receptor induction
- Hormone receptor down regulation - hormone secreted in large quantities
- Synergism - 2 hormones amplify effect e.g. glucagon with adrenaline both increase sugar levels
- Antagonism - glucagon antagonises insulin
Cavernous sinus structures
Abducens nerve (VI) and carotid artery. Can be affected in pituitary pathology.