Hypothalamic and Pituitary Hormones PHARM Flashcards
1
Q
- What is the communication between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary?
- What happens normally in the posterior pituitary?
- What do most Pituitary Hormones act on?
- What is the exception?
A
- vascular link: hypothalamic-pituitary-portal system
- hormones of the posterior lobe of pituitary are synthesized in the hypothalamus, transported to the posterior pituitary, and released into circulation in response to specific physiologic signals
- most act on an endocrine gland before affecting target tissue
- Prolactin
2
Q
Anterior Pit Secretion
- Hypothalamus creates what?
- What do these do?
- Long Loop Inhibition
- Short Loop Inhibition
- Ultra-short Loop Inhibition
A
- specific releasing or inhibiting factors/hormones that are released into portal system
- signal release of other hormones from AP that then act on a peripheral endocrine gland or the liver
- end product/ far downstream product acts as inhibitor on pituitary and hypothalamus
- Pituitary hormone inhibits hypothalamus
- Hypothalamus product inhibits its own release
3
Q
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Growth Hormone (GH) Axis
- Hypothalamic Homones (2) and action
- Ant Pit Hormone (1)
- Major Target Tissue
- Effects?
A
- GHRH- releases GH from AP; Somatostatin (SS)- inhibits GH release
- Growth Hormone
- Liver;
- releases IGF-1
4
Q
Physiological Actions of GH
- In childhood (4)
- In Adulthood (5)
- How is it released?
- How is its secretion affected by age?
- How does it transmit its effects to cells?
- What mediates its effects?
A
- promotes linear growth: growth of long bones, cartilage, muscle, organ systems
- increases protein synthesis and bone density; promotes lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis; promotes gluconeogenesis and glucose release; opposes insulin-induced glucose uptake in adipose tissue, reduces insulin sensitivity
- pulsatile manner, mostly during sleep; interplay of GHRH and SS
- decreases
- binds to its receptor and activates cascade mediated by JAK tyrosine kinases and STATs;
- IGF-1
5
Q
GH Deficiency
- In children
- In Adults
A
- short stature and adiposity, hypoglycemia (most commonly deficiency of GHRH)
- changes in body composition, increased generalized adiposity; decreased skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone density; CV changes, cardiac muscle atrophy, atherogenic blood lipid profile; fatigue, weakness, depression, overall malaise
6
Q
Drugs Used in GH Deficiency
- Synthetic GHRH
- Recombinant Growth Hormone (2)
- Recombinant IGF-1
A
- Sermorelin- used in diagnosis
- Somatropin, Somatrem
- Mecasermin (used where the deficiency is due to mutation of GH receptor)
7
Q
Somatropin and Somatrem
- Difference between the two
- Mechanism
- Indications for children (3)
- Indications for adults (3)
A
- 1 amino acid; somatropin is identical to hGH
- replaces GH
- documated growth failure in peds pts associated with: GH deficiency, chronic renal failure, Prader-Willi, Turner syndrome
- Small for gestational age condition w/ failure to catch up by age 2
- Idiopathic short stature, non GH-deficient (>2.25 SD below mean)
- GH deficiency in Adults
- Wasting pts w/ AIDS
- Short bowel syndrome in pts who are also receiving specialized nutritional support
8
Q
Somatropin and Somatrem
- Controversies
- What do they do in children?
- What do they do in adults?
- Side Effects (5)
A
- Anti-aging remedies; use by athletes
- increases linear growth and weight gain to low normal range; increases muscle mass, organ size, RBCs
- increases bone mineral density, normalizes body composition (decreased central adiposity); increases muscle mass and strength, improves lipid profile and cardiac function, improves psychological symptoms and sense of well being
- Leukemia, rapid growth of melanocytic lesions; hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, arthralgia, increase in CYP450 activity
9
Q
Somatropin and Somatrem
- Contraindications (4)
- Considerations
- Drug Interaction (1)
A
- Pediatric pts w/ closed epiphyses
Active underlying intracranial lesion
Active malignancy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy - Cautin in diabetics and in children whose GH deficiency results from an intracranial lesion
- Glucocorticoids inhibit growth promoting effect of somatropin
10
Q
GH Excess
- Usually due to what?
- What does it cause in children?
- What does it cause in adults?
A
- benign anterior pituitary tumor
- gigantism (occurs before closure of epiphyses)
- acromegaly (occurs after closure of epiphyses): thickening of bones, esp face, hands; large facial structure; increased soft tissue growth; enlarged, arthritic joints; headache, sleep apnea, excessive sweating; increased risk of CV disease, GI cancers,
11
Q
Medical Treatment for GH Excess
- Somatostatin Analogues
- GH receptor antagonist
- Dopamine receptor agonist
A
- Octreotide, Lanreotide (used in Europe)
- Pegvisomant
- Bromocriptine
12
Q
Octreotide
- Describe the drug
- Mechanism
- Indications (4)
A
- somatostatin analogue, long lasting peptide that is far more potent than SS
- inhibits GH secretion
- used to control pituitary adenoma growht in acromegalic pts
- Carcinoid crisis (flushing, diarrhea, and all symptoms of carcinoid syndrome)
- Secretory diarrhea from vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) secreting tumors
- Control acute GI bleeding
13
Q
Octreotide
- Side Effects (4)
- Contraindications
- What drug levels does it decrease?
- What drug levels does it increase?
A
- N/V, abdominal cramps, GI discomfort
Cardiac Effects (sinus bradycardia and conduction disturbances)
Hypoglycemia
Gallstones - Hypersensitivity
- Decreases cyclosporin levels
- concomitant administration w/ bromocriptine increases availability of bromocriptine
14
Q
Pegvisomant
- Describe the drug
- Mechanism
- Indication (1)
A
- recombinant protein, polyethylene glycol residues prolong half life; GH w/ several amino acid substitutions
- competitive antagonist of GH activity; decreases serum IGF-1 levels
- treatment of acromegaly that is refractory to other modes of surgical, radiologic, or pharmacologic intervention
15
Q
Pegvisomant
- Side Effects (2)
- Contraindication
- What tests should be performed regularly? (2)
A
- increased pituitary adenoma size, elevated serum aminotransferase levels
- hypersensitivity rxn
- yearly MRI to exclude enlarging adenoma; liver function tests should be performed periodically