Endocrinology I Flashcards
What are the functions of endocrine glands?
Regulate concentration of blood fluid (haemostasis)
Regulate body temperature
Regulation of reproduction, development and metabolism
What are the three major classes of hormones?
Polypeptide - proteins and peptides (water soluble)
Amine - derived from amino acids (water soluble)
Steroid hormones (lipid soluble)
What is the HPA pathway for stress and circadian rhythm?
Stressful stimulus causes the hypothalamus to release CRH
CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex which releases cortisol and androgens > stress metabolism. Positive and negative feedback
How is hormone secretion regulated?
Positive feedback and negative feedback loops
Positive feedback loop: hormones act on anterior pituitary
Negative feedback long loops: hormones act on anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. Short loops from anterior pituitary to hypothalamus
What is the embryological origin of the pituitary gland?
Anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) - protrusion of the ectoderm from roof of mouth
Posterior lobe (neurohypophysis) - neuroectoderm
What is the difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary gland?
Anterior pituitary: synthesise and stores hormones
Posterior hormones: only stores and releases them
What are examples of hormones released by anterior lobe of pituitary gland? what cells release them?
GH by somatotrophs
TSH by thyrotrophs
ACTH by corticotrophs
FSH and LH by gonadotrophs
Prolactin by lactotrophs
What hormones are released by the posterior pituitary gland? what cells release them?
ADH and oxytocinby cell bodies of hypothalamic neurons, secreted by nerve terminals
Where do the problems lie in primary, secondary and tertiary endocrine disorders?
Primary - Thyroid gland, parathyroid gland
Secondary - Anterior pituitary
Tertiary - Hypothalamus
What may cause hypersecretion?
Hormone secreting tumours
Hyperplasia
Autoimmune stimulation
Ectopically produced peptide hormone - ACTH, ADH
What may cause hyposecretion?
Autoimmune disease
Tumours
Infection
Haemorrhage
What regulates GH release from the anterior pituitary?
GNRH from hypothalamus has positive feedback, stimulates GH release
Somatostatin from hypothalamus has negative feedback, inhibits GH release
What are the two functions of GH? How does it exert these functions?
Growth of skeletal and soft tissue
Metabolic on carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism
- Indirect - through hormone - IGF1/somatomedins
- Direct - through GH receptors in target tissue
When may GH secretion increase/decrease?
Increase: sleep, stress, young age
Decrease: old age, obesity
What are the direct actions of GH?
- Increased cartilage formation, bone growth
- Increaesd protein synthesis, cell growth and proliferation
What are the indirect actions of GH?
Increased lipolysis
Increased blood sugar
What can GH deficiency cause in children?
Pituitary dwarfism:
- Impaired pituitary GH secretion
- Decreased rate of growth and short stature
- Normal brain development
- Decreased plasma GH and IGF1
Laron dwarfism:
- Defective GH receptors in target tissue and defective IGF1 production
- Decreased plasma IGF1 but elevated plasma GH
What can GH deficiency cause in adults?
If GH deficiency occurs after epiphyseal fusion of long bones, height unaffected
- Increased body fat
- Reduced muscle mass
- Fatigue
- Decreased physical fitness