Exam 3 - Content Material Flashcards
What is Lipohypertrophy?
The formation of fatty lumps at or around insulin injection sites. It is caused by repeatedly injecting into the same place and by reusing the same needle.
What does the Adrenal medulla secrete?
Secretes catecholamines (epi, NE)
What does the adrenal cortex secrete?
Secretes corticosteroids (glucocorticoids & mineralocorticoids)
What is the Zona reticularis?
region of the adrenal cortex that produces & secretes androgens, progesterone and the estrogens
Glucocorticoid synthesis and secretion is regulated by what kind of feedback mechanism?
Negative feedback
What classes of hormones does the adrenal cortex secrete?
- glucocorticoids
- mineralocorticoids
- adrenal androgens.
What factors cause the hypothalamus to release CRH?
- stress
- infection
- pain
- hypoglycemia
- trauma
- hemorrhage & sleep
NOTE THESE ARE ALL STRESS FACTORS
What effect does ACTH have on the adrenal cortex?
It causes the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids, estrogens, androgens and cortisol
What should you consider when administering oral glucocorticoids?
- Orally glucocorticoids inhibit the release of endogenous glucocorticoid by the adrenals.
- Long term glucocorticoids leads to pituitary inability to manufacture ACTH & thus the adrenals stop synthesizing cortisol & other glucocorticoids. (times time to get regain this function
- Taper dose during withdrawal over 7 days
- Give additional glucocorticoids during times of stress
What are the symptoms of glucocorticoid withdraw?
- Hypotension
- hypoglycemia
- myalgia
- arthralgia
- fatigue
What are some examples of glucocorticoid durgs?
- cortisone
- prednisone
What are some effects of glucocorticoids in general?
- Increase the availability of glucose (Cortisol) –> can cause hyperglycemia
- Protein synthesis is suppressed
- fat deposits are mobilized
- Most glucocorticoids have little mineralocorticoid activity
- So glucocorticoids do not induce significant Na+ retention & K+ loss
What are some adverse reactions with high dose Glucocorticoids?
- Usually seen with high doses
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Osteoporosis
- Infection
- Glucose intolerance – can inc plasma glucose levels (hyperglycemia)
- Myopathy – muscle weakness (arms & legs) → fatigue
- Fluid & electrolyte disturbance → K+ loss
- Growth retardation
- Psychologic disturbances
- Cataracts & glaucoma
- Peptic Ulcer Dz
- Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome
What are low dose glucocorticoids used for?
- Used to tx adrenocortical insufficiency
- no toxic effects at physiologic doses
What are the effects of high dose glucocorticoids?
- Used to tx nonendocrine disorders
- Has high anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions:
- allergic rxns, asthma, inflammation, suppress immune response in organ transplant recipients & cancer
Glucocorticoids increase blood glucose concentrations by what 5 methods?
- Stimulation of gluconeogenesis & glucose secretion by the liver
- Increasing the hepatic sensitivity to the gluconeogenic actions of glucagon and catecholamines
- Decreasing glucose uptake and utilization by peripheral tissue (adipose and muscle)
- Promotion of glucose storage
- Increasing proteolysis and decreasing protein synthesis in muscles to support the gluconeogenesis activities
What is the main pharmacologic effect of glucocorticoids, and how does it do this?
- Main function
- to suppress immune system and inflammation
- Action:
- inhibiting chemical mediators such as prostaglandins, histamine , leukotrienes, lymphocytes, phagocytic cells, neutrophils & macrophage
What are the differences between Glucocorticoids & NSAIDs?
Glucocorticoids:
- Bind to DNA and does RNA coding for protein synthesis
- have much greater anti-inflammatory actions
NSAIDs:
- ↓ COX enzymes → ↓ production of prostaglandins (chem. that promote inflammation, pain, and fever) → ulcers in the stomach and intestines, and ↑ risk of bleeding.
What are some short acting Glucocorticoids?
- Cortisone
- Hydrocortisone
8-12 min half life
What are some intermediate acting Glucocorticoids?
- Prednisone
- Prednisolone
- Methylprednisolone
- Triamcinoclone
18-36min half life
What are some long acting Glucocorticoids?
- Bethmethasone
- Deamethasone
36-54min half life
What are some uses for Glucocorticoids?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (reduce inflammation & pain but does not alter dz)
- Local injections are effective and less toxic than systemic tx
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Inflammatory disorders (inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s dz)
- Allergic reactions (bee stings, drug rxn’s, poison ivy etc…)
- Asthma (PO & inhalation) reserved if β2 agonist not working
- Dermatologic disorders
- Neoplasms
- Suppression of allograft rejection to prevent organ transplant rejections (person is on this for life)
- Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants
How do high dose glucocorticoids cause Osteoporosis?
- By inhibiting Ca++ absorption
- Dec bone formation of osteoblast & accelerate the bone resorption of osteoclasts.
How do you prevent osteoporosis when giving high dose glucocorticoids?
- Check bone mineral density with long term tx b/4 tx starts
- Give Ca++ with vit D.
- ↓ Na+ intake & give thiazide diuretic with bisphosphonates or calcitonin (↑ bone density)












