Hypothalamic-Pituitary Relationship and Biofeedback Pt. 2 Flashcards
What hormone is released by the zona glomerulosa?
Mineralcorticoids (ADH)- regulates salt and volume homeostasis
What hormone is released by zona fasciculata?
Glucocorticoids (cortisol)- regulates glucose utilization, immune and inflammatory homeostasis
Androgens (DHEAS)- androgen precursor
What hormone is released by zona reticularis?
Glucocorticoids (cortisol)- regulates glucose utilization, immune and inflammatory homeostasis
Androgens (DHEAS)- androgen precursor
What hormone is released by medulla’s chromaffin cells?
Catecholamines (epi and norepi)- rapid responders to stress
What things activate CRH in the hypothalamus?
- physical stress
- emotional stress
- metabolic stress
- infection/inflammation
How is cortisol regulated?
Cortisol inhibits ACTH and CRH production
When are cortisol levels the highest? Lowest?
Highest in early morning
Lowest late at night
ACTH levels remain constant
How does ACTH release act on the zona reticularis?
- binds to MC2R
- promotes secretion of androgens
- no feedback
How does ACTH release act on zona fasciculata?
- binds to MC2R
- promotes cortisol release
- negative feedback
What is the mechanism of aldosterone secretion?
1) low BP stimulates acts on kidney via renin-angiotensin cascade
2) stimulates zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex to release aldosterone
3) aldosterone targets kidney tubule
4) leads to increased absorption of Na+ followed by water; increased K+ excretion
5) increased BP and BV
Symptoms and signs of Cushing’s syndrome
- truncal obesity
- moon face
- buffalo hump
- easy bruising
- purple striae
- hypertension
- edema
- weakness
- osteoporosis
- hirsutism
- virilization
- diabetes
- immunosuppression
- cognitive effects
What is dexamethasone?
exogenous gluccocorticoid
What will happen if dexamethasone if given to a normal patient?
suppression of ACTH levels
What does a low-dose dexamethasone test differentiate?
Patients with CS will not have ACTH suppression while those that do not have CS will have ACTH suppression
(does not specify source of ACTH over production)
What does a high-dose dexamethasone test differentiate?
Distinguishes people with Cushing’s disease
Used after diagnosis of Cushing syndrome is made
What kind of CS results in decreased ACTH levels after high dose dexamethasone?
Pituitary tumor (lowered ACTH mediated by negative feedback on pituitary)
What kind of CS results in not change in ACTH levels?
Ectopic tumor (no negative feedback effect on ectopic source of ACTH)
Exogenous glucocorticoid excess
Iatrogenic (caused by drug/medication)
Pseudo Cushing’s Syndrome
- major anxiety/depression
- acute/chronic illness
- alcoholism
ACTH dependent
- Cushing’s disease
- ectopic ACTH secreting tumor
- CRH-secreting tumor
ACTH independent
- adrenal adenoma
- adrenal carcinoma
Plasma ACTH concentrations in patients with Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing disease= higher ACTH levels than normal (pituitary tumor, so excess secretion of ACTH)
Adrenal tumor = lower than normal ACTH (excess cortisol produced feedback inhibits ACTH release)
Ectopic = extremely high ACTH
What is the effect of exogenous administration of glucocorticoids?
Atrophied zona fasciculata cells which produce cortisol
What is the primary action of aldosterone?
renal sodium reabsorption
How does aldosterone act on the kidney?
1) aldosterone combines with a cytoplasmic receptor in the nephron of the kidney
2) hormone receptor complex initiates transcription in the nucleus
3) translation and protein synthesis makes new protein channels and pumps
4) aldosterone-induced proteins modulate existing channels
5) results in increased Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion
6) Na+ reabsorption leads to water retention which increased BP
Where is ACTH produced?
Anterior pituitary; derived from post-translational processing of POMC
How does ACTH act on non-pituitary tissues?
activates alpha-MSH which promotes melanin synthesis
How does increased ACTH lead to hyperpigmentation in Addison’s disease?
ACTH above physiological levels will bind to MC1R in melanocytes and increase melanin synthesis
Result of primary adrenal insufficiency
both cortisol and aldosterone secretion is reduced because adrenal cortex is damaged