Endocrinology Lectures 2021 Flashcards
Describe Endocrinology as a science
Homeostatic control mechanisms
–> Physiological systems need communication and coordination
eg: metabolism, salt and water balance, temperature,
reproduction, growth
When did Endocrinology begin?
Began in the early 20th century with two researchers William
Bayliss and Ernest Starling
Was the secretion of alkaline juice in the duodenum under
nervous or chemical control?
- stomach would produce acidic chyme (semi-digested food from stomach that enters the intestine & its too acidic for the intestine to operate properly so the pancreas secretes alkaline fluid to neutralize that acidic chyme)
- found that there were still alkaline secretion from the pancreas upon entry of acidic chyme into the duodenum
- suggested there must be a blood borne agent that may be released from the lining of the duodenum targeting the pancreas & its stimulate (+) the pancreas to release the alkaline juice & neutralize that chyme
- stimulus of that endocrine agent is the acidic chyme itself (feedback loop regulation)
- that hormone subsequently was identified later as secretin (target pancreatic exocrine cells to promote alkaline juice secretion from those exocrine cells)
What did they used to define hormone as?
released from the endocrine gland into the circulation & acts at a target distinct from the site of circulation
7 points about hormones
- More than one produced in one endocrine gland
- More than one tissue secretes the same hormone
- More than one target cell type for a single hormone
- Secretion varies over time and will be affected by changes in
the environment - A single target cell can be influenced by more than one
hormone - Hormones can be blood borne or neuronally derived
- Some hormones are excreted from tissues that have other
functions
Hormones are 1 part of a system…
Cell A secretes –> Hormone –> Cell B responds
What is the chemical classification of Peptides?
Structure: chains of amino acids (3 → 500+)
Solubility: hydrophilic
Secretion: exocytosis
Transport: free active peptide or precursor
Source: pituitary, pancreas, GI tract etc
What is the chemical classification of Amino acid derivatives?
Structure: catecholamines, thyroid hormone, melatonin
Solubility: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic
Secretion: exocytosis, Endo- & exocytosis, exocytosis
Transport: ~50% to carrier protein, most bound to carrier protein, ~50% to carrier protein
Source: adrenal medulla, thyroid gland, pineal gland
What is the chemical classification of Steroids?
Structure: cholesterol derivative
Solubility: hydrophobic
Secretion: diffusion
Transport: Most bound to carrier protein
Source: adrenal and sex steroids*
Describe Hormone processing
- Secretion
- binding of hormone to carrier protein
- Activation
- Inactivation
What are the 7 Post-translational modification of peptide hormones?
- Peptide cleavage
- Glycosylation
- Phosphorylation
- Sulfation
- Amidation
- Acetylation
- Subunit aggregation
ACTH
imp. hormone for cortisol
- regulates stress axis
(pituitary gland)
What is Feedback control?
this is predominantly (-), ie: output conteracts input, & is frequently seen in the TROPHIC hormones
- can also be (+) (ex’s: let down reflex in nursing moms & oxytocin parturition)
Neuroendocrine reflexes
Combination of neural and hormonal processes. Not the same as neuromodulation
Estrogen
reset balance of these (neuromodulation)
- can govern mood, appetite, depression, bipolar & anxiety
- not same as neuroendo functions
Rhythms
Release of hormones is entrained to environmental
cycles which vary in interval length and duration
Melatonin secretion…
peaks at night
Cortisol secretion has…
2 prominent peaks
Carrier proteins
can be general or specific to the hormone in question, dictated by binding affinity
Specific carriers vs General carrier
Specific carriers:
Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) – CORTICOSTEROIDS
Thyroid hormone binding globulin and transthyretin (TBG) – THYROID HORMONES
General carrier:
Albumin - many hydrophilic hormones like epi will bind to albumin & typically affinity is low
Hormone Activation
Metabolism of the precursor or release from the carrier protein will activate the hormone that will then have a half life in the blood
The length of time for hormone half life follows the general
pattern:
- Single amino acid derivatives: minutes (short half life)
- Peptide hormones: minutes – hours
- Steroid hormones: hours (more energy to produce steroid hormone so we hold onto it for longer)
Hormone Inactivation
Enzyme degradation (Trypsin is common - breaks up) (ex: endopeptidase & exopeptidase)
Hormone receptor complex endocytosis
Conjugation (chemical group steroid sulfation)
What are 2 Endocrine dysfunctions?
Hyposecretion & Hypersecretion
Hyposecretion
primary or secondary, usually the result of atrophy of the endocrine gland and normally treated through replacement therapy
Hypersecretion
primary or secondary, usually the result of a benign tumour (adenoma), normally treated through inhibition
Target cell
– lack of receptors or biochemical machinery at the target cell
Eg: Hyperinsulinemia
*Target cell responsiveness is also altered naturally!
Response at target cell
- UP & DOWN REGULATION – Receptors at the target cell are themselves regulated in response to hormone levels influencing ABUNDANCE and AFFINITY
- PERMISSIVENESS – One hormone CANNOT fully exert its effect without the other being present
- SYNERGISM – The COMBINED effect is greater than the sum of the parts
- ANTAGONISM - The actions of one hormone REDUCES the effectiveness of the second – can be direct or indirect (happens naturally)
Measurement of binding kinetics for hormone/receptor complexes relies heavily on the chemical law of mass action:
Kd = [H] [R] / [HR]
So if Kd is high, binding affinity is?
LOW (easy for molecule to dissociate from receptor)
Do all hormone receptor complexes adhere to the law of mass action?
NON-COOPERATIVE = Law of mass action is upheld
POSITIVELY COOPERATIVE = ligand binding increases receptor affinity of vacant receptors
NEGATIVELY COOPERATIVE = ligand binding decreases receptor affinity of vacant receptors
Synergistic effects of hormones
glucagon + epinephrine + cortisol
combo is greater than parts
Hormone receptors
- MEMBRANE BOUND
→ Ligand gated, enzyme linked, guanylyl cyclase and Gprotein linked receptors
→ Second messenger systems include:
adenylate cyclase
guanylate cyclase
inositol phosphate and diacyl glycerol - NUCLEAR RECEPTORS
Most lipophilic hormones act through nuclear receptors and
many genes will have responsive elements
What are 4 main parts of the Pituitary & Hypothalamus?
- INFUNDIBULUM - is the stalk that connects the pituitary to the brain
- POSTERIOR PITUITARY - is an extension of the neural tissue (connected directly to hypothalamus)
- SPHENOID BONE
- ANTERIOR PITUITARY (is a true endocrine gland of epithelial origin)
Nomenclature of Anterior Pituitary & Posterior pituitary
Anterior Pituitary:
- Pars distalis
- Adenohypophysis
Posterior pituitary:
- Pars nervosa
- Neurohypophysis
Trophic hormones will typically stimulate production of hormones from anterior pituitary
3 points about the Posterior pituitary
- The hypothalamus and posterior pituitary form a neuroendocrine system with cell bodies based in the
hypothalamus - Posterior pituitary hormones synthesised in the hypothalamus
- Axons then extend down the INFUNDIBULUM and terminate in the posterior pituitary
A difference b/t Anterior & Posterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary: constitutive release –> constant
Posterior pituitary: these hormones are released on demand –> regulated (most hormone release is regulated)
Where is vasopressin & oxytocin mostly from?
Vasopressin –> supraoptic nucleus
Oxytocin –> paraventricular nucleus
Neurohypophysial peptides
Two nonapeptides (OT and AVP)
*Simple in structure but do diff things
Precursor peptides produced in the hypothalamus – neurophysins
Closely related but one can work without the other.
- pos. pit is the storage & release site for 2 neurohormones: oxytocin & vassopressin
- the neurons producing OT & AVP are clustered together in areas of the hypothalamus known as the paraventricular & supraoptic nuclei
- these 2 pos. pit. neurohormones are composed of 9 AA’s each
eg: Brattleboro rats
- genetically diabetic (tasted urine)
diabetes –> running through (have to go to the bathroom a lot)
diabetes insipidus (insipid –> sour) –> vasopressin
diabetes mellitus (honey “sweet” - full of glucose) –> insulin
In the Posterior pituitary, AVP and OT neurophysins + PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES are…
packaged in secretory granules and begin to migrate down the axon to the neurohypophysis where the nerve terminals are located
Vasopressin – Arginine Vasopressin – Anti-diuretic hormone
Release:
Reduced ECFV → ↑ plasma osmolality → ↑ osmoreceptor
activity → ↑ vasopressin release
Reduced ECFV → ↓ left atrial volume → ↓ arterial blood
pressure → ↑ vasopressin release
What are the 2 roots “reduced ECFV” can arise from?
- Loss of blood through hemorrging
- Loss of fluid through an INCREASE in plasma osmolarity as fluid moves from the EC space to IC space
(ex: working out & sweating –> loose volume & you want to protect cellular fluid space so as a result that INCREASES concentration of salts & solutes in the ECF space we will get INCREASE in plasma osmolarity
- that triggers osmoreceptor & that causes vasopressin release from posterior pituitary
Vasopressin – Arginine Vasopressin – Anti-diuretic hormone
ACTION:
How does the vasopressin address this reduced ECFV?
↑ H2O reabsorption in renal tubules –> 1 reason why its called ADH (diuresis –> increase in urine flow rate & anti-diuresis –> reduction)
Vasoconstriction of vascular smooth muscle
NET EFFORT:
- CLOSED caridovas space
- if you loose volume in that closed space, 1 way to maintain volume & same pressure is to make that space smaller
Oxytocin
RELEASE:
Birth canal distension → ↑ oxytocin release
Infant suckling → ↑ oxytocin release
BOTH (+) feedback
Oxytocin
ACTION:
↑ uterine muscle (myometrium) contraction during parturition
↑ milk ejection from mammary gland
Behavioural aspects of OT:
OT:
• INcreases maternal behaviour in rats but estrogens need to be present
- Plasma OT levels INcrease during sexual arousal in both sexes
- Act as neuromodulators in the brain to influence social recognition, memory and affiliative behaviours such as “pair bonding” (rodent research)
Behavioural aspects of AVP:
AVP:
• Stimulates release of ACTH that is synergistic with CRH
• Seems to play a greater role in MALES rather than females in regard to social recognition and consolidation of social memory (rodent research)
• Aggression, courtship, scent marking, and learning (rodent
research)
Anterior pituitary Portal
Portal
Capillary bed –> Capillary bed
Arteriole –> capillary –> venule
Adenohypophysial cells
Histological and cytological methods have provided definitive evidence on the cellular source for each hormone released from the adenohypophysis
Corticotroph
Hormone: ACTH
Staining characteristics: basophil
Thyrotroph
Hormone: TSH
Staining characteristics: basophil
Gonadotrophs
Hormone: FSH, LH
Staining characteristics: basophil, basophil
Lactotroph
Hormone: PRL
Staining characteristics: acidophil
Somatotroph
Hormone: Somatotroph
Staining characteristics: acidophil
Hypothalamic – Anterior pituitary axis
Hormones synthesized and released from the anterior pituitary are under the control of HYPOPHYSIOTROPIC hormones that can be stimulatory or inhibitory
ex: Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
- pituitary hormone: adrenocorticotropic hormone
- “final” hormone: cortisol
The hypophysiotropic hormones:
- TRH
- CRH
- GnRH
- GHRH
In the hypothalamus, somatostain ______ & dopamine _____
inhibits control
stimulates control
Structural characterisation of adenohypophysial hormones
GROWTH HORMONE FAMILY:
- Growth Hormone
- Prolactin
Growth hormone is well conserved however there are many different variants of prolactin.
GLYCOPROTEIN FAMILY:
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),
- So named due to the large percentage of carbohydrate moieties
– up to 33% by weight
- Each has an α and β subunit. The amino acid sequence of the α subunit is similar between the hormones but the β subunit varies
Pars intermedia
Many animals have an anatomically separate pars intermedia
The predominant endocrine product is αMSH (involved in regulating melanocytes –> melanocyte regulation - skin pigmentation (pleiotropic hormone - means many actions, anorexogenic factor - inhibit food intake)
In humans this is also the case during development
As adults these cells are not anatomically distinct but still synthesise and secrete αMSH
Precursor peptide Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)
- happens INTRAcellularly also involved in regulating FOOD INTAKE
- within ANTERIOR PITUITARY
- diff cell types will express proconvertase enzymes (PC1, 2 & 3)
- response for CHOPPING UP POMC in diff places depending on the signal response
- no 1 precursor molecule of POMC can synthesize both ACTH & a-MSH & release both of those hormones
Normal growth means:
- Protein, fat and cartilage synthesis
- Cell proliferation - Hyperplasia and hypertrophy
- Bone lengthening - Increased extracellular matrix
Normal growth is influenced by:
- Genetic resolve
- Diet and nutrient transfer
- Disease and stress
- Multiple layers of hormonal control
Growth rate
Neonatal growth under the influence of placental hormones
Growth rate varies throughout life
- GH levels increase during puberty
- In males, testicular androgens are v. important and increase dramatically during puberty
- Adrenal androgens also increase and may be more important in females (b/c males lack androgen in testes?)
- Testosterone and estrogen both ultimately “put the brakes on”
Growth hormone (GH)
• GH production stimulated by GHRH and inhibited by
GHIH (somatostatin)
• GH is a 191 amino acid long polypeptide produced in
somatotrophs
• It is the most ABUNDANT adenohypophysial hormone (4-
10% of the wet weight of the gland ~ 5-10mg)
• Spontaneous secretion over a 24 h period usually peaks
in the first 90 minutes of sleep
• Transported in plasma attached to one or more binding
proteins
GHIH = somatostatin
inhib. factor that inhibits GH release from the anterior pituitary
GH = somatotropin
drives the axis
The Somatomedin hypothesis
“Growth hormone does not have a direct effect on growth of
any given tissue but rather acts indirectly through
somatomedins”
There are two main somatomedins – Insulin like growth
factors (IGF) I & II (predominantly synthesized & secreted by the liver)
They are 70 and 67 amino acids respectively and share many similarities with insulin
With The Somatomedin hypothesis, could they influence bone growth from blood samples? What was controlling?
indicated to researches that GH was stimulating something else (IGF) into the circulation that facilitated & directed growth in these samples
What are 2 similarities b/t Insulin & IGF receptors?
- Both SINGLE PASS (1 straight line through the membrane) receptors that are linked to these TKD’s on the intracellular side of the cell membrane
- Both exist as dimers
- 2 monomers attached here by sulfate bridges
IGF’s
Circulating levels of IGF I increase massively during pubertal
growth spurt but GH increases moderately by comparison (long bone growth excellerates during puberty)
Tissue specific regulation of IGF I synthesis
GH does not regulate IGF II production to the same extent
IGF II is important during fetal development and plays a role in adult growth but not to the same extent as IGF I
Bone growth
Bone is LIVING TISSUE surrounded by an extracellular organinc matrix with a variety of cell types that have specific roles
Compact Bone vs Spongy bone
Compact bone: is dense & used for support
Spongy bone or trabecular bone: forms a calcified lattice
LOTS OF CARTILAGE IN BONE
Osteoblasts & Osteoclasts
Osteoblasts –> bone BUILDERS
Osteoclasts –> bone BREAKERS
these bone breakers/builders are critically imp. for the modulation & shaping of bone
- also play a very imp. role in Ca2+ balance
3 parts of the bone:
EPIPHYSIS: is the end of a long bone
EPIPHYSEAL PLATE: is the site of bone growth (imp. in long bone growth)
DIAPHYSIS: is the shaft of a long bone (lone part of bone)
*The DIAPHYSIS is the mature bone shaft with the EPIPHYSIS at either end. In a growing bone the epiphysis is separated from the diaphysis by the EPIPHYSEAL PLAYE
Osteoblasts produce…
enzymes (osteoid) collagen and proteins to provide a framework for hydroxyapatite crystals.
They deposit new bone on the outer edges of old bone to increase width. This is a dynamic process
Osteoblasts will ultimately turn into mature bone cells –>
osteocytes
Bone length growth…
is a different process and is regulated by cartilage cells, CHONDROCYTES, located in the epiphyseal plates
Chondrocytes
divide and multiply, lengthening the epiphysis with the older cartilage cells enlarging at the border of the diaphysis.
Hyperplasia vs. Hypertrophy
Hyperplasia - lots of cell division
Hypertrophy - INcrease cell size
The Dual-effector theory
Driven by: GH & IGF
- Development of IGF-I responsiveness
- Expression of IGF-I gene
- Local production of IGF-I
- Stimulation of clonal expansion by autocine/paracrine mechanisms
Cytoplasmic maturation
Abnormal growth
- Site of lesion in ANTERIOR pituitary
- hypopituitary dwarfism - if inhibited
- gigantism (infant) or acromegaly (adult) - if stimulated (hyperactivity)
Fezik –> Andre the giant
- gigantism & acromegaly
- hyperactive pituitary gland during infancancy & adulthood
Robert Wadlow
- 2.7m or 8.9 feet tall
- worlds tallest individual suffered from gigantism
Maurice Tillet
- large forehead
- big hands
- big jaw
- probably had problem in pituitary gland during puberty
- Laron dwarfism (IGF DEcrease production)
- Site of lesion in LIVER
- “Little women of Loja”
- everyone in that village is short in height (especially women but also men to some extent)
- can be lack of GH receptors on liver
- lack IGF responsiveness
- decrease GH BP (binding protein)
- decrease IGF carrying capacity - End organ resistance
- site of lesion in somatic cells
Thyroid hormones
– involved in energy homeostasis.
Hypothyroidism = reduced growth, TH is largely permissive (neuronal development)
Insulin
involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency can
block growth and excess can promote growth, potential cross reactivity with IGF receptors
Androgens & estrogens
Arrest “long-bone” length increase by closure of the epiphyseal plate (causes ossification of the epiphyseal plate)
Prolactin
belongs to the GH family and influences mammary gland growth as well as aspects of the immune system (influences lymphocytes)