EXAM 3 Adrenocorticosteroids and Adrenocortical antagonists Dr. Pond Flashcards
What is a Corticosteroid?
-A steroid that is released by the adrenal cortex or a steroid that is related to steroids synthesized by adrenal cortex
Cortico - adrenal cortex
steroid - steroid based molecule derived from cholesterol
Which molecules are produced by the cortex (outer part of the adrenal gland)?
produces steroid-based hormones
Which part of the adrenal gland produces NE and epinephrine?
the adrenal medulla (inner part)
-synthesis and secretion of NE and epinephrine in response to sympathetic signals
What are the 3 classes of steroid-based hormones?
-Glucocorticoids
-Mineralcorticoids
-Gonadocorticoids
Which class of molecules do Glucocorticoids refer to?
Cortisol
-> affecting glucose metabolism
(GLUCOse + CORTex + sterOID)
Which class of molecules do Mineralcorticoids refer to?
Aldosterone
-> affect salt and water balance (MINERAL + CORTex +
sterOID)
Which class of molecules do Gonadocorticoids refer to?
Steroid hormones
-> produced by the adrenal cortex that affects sexual function -> similar to those of the gonads
(GONAD + CORTex + sterOID)
What are the 3 layers of the adrenal cortex (outer part) and what do they secrete?
-Zona glomerulosa -> mineralcorticoids
-Zona fasciculata -> glucocorticoids
-Zona reticularis -> sex steroids (gonadocorticoids)
Go find Rex - make good sex
Hypothalamus-anterior pituitary-adrenal cortex Axis
- Hypothalamus -> CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone)
- CRH on anterior pituitary -> ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- ACTH on adrenal cortex -> Cortisol
What are the main steroids produced by the adrenal cortex?
-Glucocorticoid: Cortisol
-mineralcorticoid: Aldesterone
-Gonadocorticoid: Dehydroepiadrosterone (DHEA), a weak androgen -> can be converted to testosterone or estradiol (stronger sex hormones)
Which hormone is primarily secreted by the adrenal gland?
Cortisol
-aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) is more regulated by the RAAS system, as well as sodium and potassium level
-the amount of sex hormones released from adrenal gland is minor (more from the gonads)
FYI: post-menopausal women mainly produce their sex hormones form the adrenal gland
What triggers CRH release from the Hypothalamus?
-Circadian rhytm
-Stress
Negative feedback in the HPA axis
-high cortisol -> negatively back to the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus
-high ACTH -> back to the hypothalamus
Where does Cortisol bind to in the plasma?
90% bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)
-the remainder is free or closely bound to albumin
When do we see an increased level of free Cortisol and the plasma?
when plasma levels exceed 20-30 μg/dL
-> CBG is saturated
What may cause high levels of Cortisol in the plasma?
-severe stress
-Cushings disease
Where is cortisol metabolized?
-mostly in the liver -> activated from cortisone to cortisol
Kidney (also placenta)
-20% converted to cortisone - inactive
(by 11-hydroxysteroid DH 2)
-1% excreted unchanged
Which enzyme in the kidney converts Cortisol to Cortisone?
11-hydroxysteroid DH 2
Which receptor solely binds to Cortisol?
Glucocorticoid receptor (GR)
Which receptor does Cortisol and aldosterone bind to?
Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)
How does the body steer Cortisol to bind to Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) rather than mineralcorticoid receptors (MR)?
with the enzyme 11-hydroxysteroid DH 2
by converting Cortisol into Cortisone in the kidney
-> Cortisone is inactive and won’t bind to GR or MR
anything that does bind to GR will be converted to cortisone, to prevent effects that come from MR???
What is the MOA cortisol?
-regulates gene transcription in the nucleus
-first bound to CBG in the plasma -> crosses the membrane and binds to Glucocorticoid receptors -> enters the nucleus and activates transcription in the GRE glucocorticoid response element (promotor region)
-long process -> so onset is delayed: 8-12hr
Other MOA
cortisol binds to GR and forms a complex with other transcription factors and regulates non-GRE-containing promotors
What is the effect of glucocorticoids in the plasma?
CATABOLIC EFFECTS
increase glucose in the plasma at the expense of proteins
-protein catabolism in bone, lymph, muscle, and elsewhere -> to make GLUCOSE
-more liver uptake of AS to make GLUCOSE (gluconeogenesis)
-it tries to keep blood glucose levels high -> so it breaks down things to keep it high (maintenance)
-triglycerides catabolism in adipose tissue -> release of glycerol and fatty acids into the blood - this effect is different in different body parts -> Cushings disease
Why do we see fat storage in Cushings disease?
release of Insuilin promotes fat storage in the stomach region
What are the consequences of the catabolic activity of Glucocorticoids?
-osteoporosis in the bone (collagen = protein used for glucogeonesis)
-glucocorticoids inhibit the vitamin D effect -> block the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gut -> less mineralization of the bone
-reduce growth in children
-decreases what is considered unnecessary in a stress situation: things like growth and fertility
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids
-decreases of function of peripheral leukocytes
-Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis and cytokines
-inhibits macrophages and other antigen-presenting cells (activating the induced immune responses)
-decreases capillary permeability by reducing
histamine release via basophils and mast cells
-> so leukocytes cant move to the site of infection readily