Hyperadrenocorticism Flashcards
Where is CRH synthesised and released?
Paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus
Exlain how ACTH stimulates glucocorticoid production and release
- Transported in blood via transport proteins to adrenal cortex
- Stimulates cholesterol uptake by adrenal gland
- Upregulation of enzymes
What is the effect of cortisol onthe HPA axis?
Negative feedback
What are the causes of hyperadrenocorticism?
- Spontaneous or iatrogenic
- Spontaneous can be either pituitary or adrenal dependent
Compare the incidence of pituitary vs adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism
- 80-90% pituitary
- 10-20% adrenal
Describe pituitary dependent HAC
- Often pituitary tumour
- Bilateral hyperplasia of glands
- Microadenomas in 80% of cases, macroadenomas also potential
- Can arise from pars distalis (70%) or pars intemedia (30%)
- Lots of stimulation, more cortisol, but will not respond to negative feedback as tumour is autonomous
- Decrease in CRH as negative feedback via long loop
Describe adrenal dependent HAC
- Adrenal tumout
- Unilateral enlargement (atrophy of contralateral gland)
- Negative feedback, reduced ACTH so atrophy of opposite but tumour side is autonomous
- Independent of pituitary control
- ACTH concentration very low or undetectable
How can pituitary and adrenal HAC be distinguished?
- Hormone levels
- Imaging
What are the physiological changes that occur in HAC?
- Increased cortisol
- Protein and fat mobilisation
- Stimulates gluconeogenesis
- Stimualtes glycogenolysis
- Stabilises lysosomes
Describe the signalment for adrenal dependent HAC in dogs
- Older dogs (11-12 years)
- Larger breeds (>20kg)
- Females more at risk
Describe the signalment for pituitary dependent HAC in dogs
- Middle aged dogs (7-9 years)
- Poodles, dachshunds and small terriers predisposed
- No sex predisposition
Give the clinical signs of canine HAC
- PU/PD
- Abdominal enlargement (pot belly)
- Polyphagic
- Muscle wastage/weakness
- Thin skin
- Hair loss
- Hepatomegaly
- Lethargy/exercise intolerance/panting
- Skin cahnges
- Reproductive changes
- Calinosis cutis
Outline the physiological basis of PU/PD in canine HAC
- Antogonism of ADH, increased glomerular filtration rate, inhibition of ADH release
- However is still unclear
- PD secondary to PU
Outline the physiological basis of pot belly in canine HAC
- Redistribution of fat into abdomen
- Hepatic enlargement
- Wasting and weakness of abdominal muscles
Outline the physiological bases of polyphagia in canine HAC
- Assumed to be direct effect of glucocorticoids
- Making up for use of stores through action of cortisol and stimulated hunger by cortisol
Outline muscle wasting/weakness in canine HAC
- Usually gradually, incorrectly considered normal ageing
- Protein catabolism
- Decreased muscle mass over limbs, spine and temporal region
- Excessive panting
- Myotonia seen occasionally
- Affected limbs are rigid and extend rapidly after passive flexion
Describe some of the skin changes that occur with canine HAC
- Thinning and reduced elasticity
- Prominent abdominal veins
- Due to protein catabolism (atrophic collagen) and loss of subcut fat
- Excessive scale and comedones
- Change in hair coat colour
- Easily bruised
- Wound healing slow
- Alopecia (normally symmetrical)
Why is wound healing slow in canine HAC?
Cortisol inhibits fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis
Describe what is meant by calcinosis cutis and how it occurs
- Less obvious clinically, more on biopsy
- Firm, slightly elevated plaques surrounded by erythema, secondary infection common
- Neck, axilla, ventral abdomen and inguinal areas
- Due to increased calcium uptak efrom gut, alteration in liver metabolism of calcium
- Deposition in skin and other organd
What are some complications with canine HAC?
- Are common!
- Urinary tract infections (decreased immune function)
- Glomerulonephropathies (increased GFR)
- Hypercoagulability
- Hypertension
Describe feline HAC
- Uncommon
- Skin fragile and rips
- middle aged to older cats
- Most PDH, 20-25% ADH
Describe the symptoms of feline HAC
- PU/PD
- Polyphagia
- Weight loss
- Extreme skin fragility
- Pot belly
- UTIs
- Diabetes mellitus
What cell type is found in the pars intermedia?
Melanotrophs
What hormones are produced by the pars intermedia
- POMC as precursor
- ACTH (ony 2% of total normal production of ACTH!)
- alpha-MSH
- CLIP
- beta-endorphin
- beta-MSH
- beta-LPH
What is the role of MSH?
Regulation of appetite, sexual behaviour and melanin production
What is the role of CLIP?
- Corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide
- Modulation of pancreaitic enzyme function
What is the role of beta-endorphin?
Behaviour (docility)
What is the role of beta-lipotrophin?
- Melanin production
- Steroidogenesis and lipolysis
Outline the control of POMC production
- Dopamine has negative feedback on POMC production Removal of negative feedback then have constant stimulation of production
- CRH and ADH have stimulatory effect
How is ACTH produced from POMC?
Cleavage by prohormone convertase 1
What is the effect of excess ACTH
Increased stimulation of adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol secretion
What is the name given to hyperadrenocorticism in the horse?
- Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
- aka Equine Cushing’s disease
What is the cause of PPID?
- Pars intermedia leads to excessive production of POMCs and so the derived peptides
- Leads to hyperadrenocorticism
- Lack of inhibitory control on pars intermedia cell function is what permits development of adenomas
- Neurodegeneration of paraventricular neurones due to oxidative stress (impaired negative feedback)
- Decreased peripheal cleavage of POMC peptides which remain active
Explain how hypothalamic dopamine has inhibitory control on the pars intermedia cell function
- Binds to D2 receptors
- Control of POMC mRNA expression and POMC release
Give the clinical signs of PPID (top 3 first)
- Hirsutism
- Weight loss/wastage
- PU/PD
- Laminitis
- Recurring infections
- Poor performance
- Regional adiposity (pot belly)
- Fat pads on eye socket
- Docility/lethargy
- Neurologic signs (blindness, narcolepsy)
- Infertility
Describe the physiological basis of hirsutism in PPID
- Do not shed coat
- Poorly understood
- Chronic elevation fo MSH
- Pituitary compression of hypothalamic thermoregulatory centre
- Increased production of androgens
How does PPID lead to laminitis?
- High glucocorticoid concentration
- Persistent hyperinsulinaemia and persistent hyperglycaemia
How does PPID lead to PU/PD
- Poorly understood
- Pituitary compression inducing reduced secretion of ADH
- ACTH/cortisol inhibiting ADH action
- Hyperglycaemia/glycosuria leading to osmoti diuresis