Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids & Adrenocortical Antagonists Flashcards
Adrenocortical Steroids Drug Types
A. ACTH B. Glucocorticoids C. Mineralocorticoids D. Mineralocorticoid antagonist E. Inhibitors of adrenocortical steroids synthesis or action
ACTH Drugs
- Natural (animal) ACTH
2. Cosyntropin Synthetic ACTH (aa 1-24)
Glucocorticoids Drugs
- cortisol = hydrocortisone
- cortisone acetate
- prednisone
- prednisolone
- methylprednisolone
- dexamethasone
- betamethasone
- triamcinolone
- budesonide inhalalation
Mineralocorticoids Drugs
- Aldosterone
2. Fludrocortisone
Mineralocorticoid antagonist Drug
Spironolactone
Inhibitors of adrenocortical steroids synthesis or action Drugs
- aminoglutethimide
2. ketoconazole
ACTH (AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone) is?
ACTH (corticotropin) is a peptide of 39 amino acids. It is synthesized as a part of a larger protein, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)
The cause of Cushing’s Syndrome is an?
Overproduction of ACTH by the anterior pituitary.
ACTH Mechanism of Action?
ACTH acts on the adrenal cortex by binding to a specific membrane receptor. The ACTH receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor. ACTH binding activates adenylate cyclase and increases intracellular cAMP.
The major clinical use of ACTH is?
In testing the integrity of the HPA axis to identify patients needing supplemental steroids.
Natural ACTH isolated from?
Animal glands
Synthetic ACTH?
(aa 1-24) called cosyntropin
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA) how to test?
Test of HPA axis: Measure cortisol, inject drug I.M. or I.V. measure cortisol at 30 to 60 min.). Cosyntropin is preferred because the animal product may contain high levels of vasopressin.
The main mineralocorticoid is?
Aldosterone
The main glucocorticoid is?
Hydrocortisone (same as cortisol).
Cortisol is released at?
10 mg/day
Aldosterone is produced at?
0.125 mg/day. (100X difference)
Adrenocortical Steroids Regulation?
Carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism.
Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.
Adrenocortical Steroids Preservation of normal function of?
Cardiovascular system, immune system, kidney, skeletal muscle endocrine system and nervous system.
Adrenocortical Steroids Capacity to resist?
Stressful circumstances such as noxious stimuli and environmental changes.
Effects of Adrenocortical Steroids Permissive Effects Define?
Some effects of corticosteroids involve actions with other hormonal regulators that are called permissive effects.
Permissive Effects Only a small amount of glucocorticoid in needed to?
Greatly potentiate their lipolytic effects. Epinephrine and norepinephrine have minor effects on lipolysis in the absence of glucocorticoids.
Corticoids are usually grouped according to three criteria (3 major actions)?
– Effects of carbohydrate metabolism (glycogen deposition and gluconeogenesis)
– Antiinflammatory effects
– Relative potencies in Na+ retention
Most corticosteroid effects occur through?
Binding to nuclear receptors and either increase or decrease DNA transcription leading to changes in concentration of specific proteins.
Most corticosteroid effects are?
Delayed by several hours before corticosteroid therapy becomes manifest.
Some corticosteroid effects are?
Immediate and are mediated by membrane receptors.
Aldosterone and cortisol both bind to?
The mineralocorticoid receptor with equal affinity, but Cortisol is present in the circulation at much higher levels than aldosteone.
The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
type 2 converts?
Cortisol to cortisone in certain cells of the kidney, colon and salivary glands.
Cortisone does not bind to?
The mineralocorticoid receptor.
Glucocorticoids (cortisol) protect the brain during
starvation?
(even an overnight fast) by keeping blood glucose elevated. The mechanism is by increased gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver. Also, in peripheral tissues, glucocorticoids.