L3 Glucocorticoids Flashcards
How are adrenocorticoids regulated?
by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
What are adrenocorticoids synthesised from?
a cholesterol backbone
Two subcategories of adrenocorticoids:
Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids
Steroid hormones produced by adrenal cortex
- Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
- Glucocorticoids (cortisol)
- Adrenal androgens (testosterone)
Adrenal medulla produces __.
catecholamines e.g. adrenaline and noradrenaline
Which zone of the adrenal cortex secretes mineralocorticoids?
outer zone (zona glomerulosa), receptors for angiotensin II and express aldosterone synthase
What does the inner zone of adrenal cortex secrete?
glucocorticoids (zona fasciculata) and androgens (zona reticularis)
What does the inner zone of the adrenal cortex express?
17α-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase
ACTH is synthesised from __.
pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)
What is the 2nd messenger for most steroidogenesis?
cyclic AMP
3 levels of regulation of ACTH secretion
- diurnal rhythm in basal steroidogenesis
- negative feedback regulation
- marked increases in steroidogenesis in response to stress
90% of glucocorticoids are bound to?
corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)
(5% bound to albumin, remainder is free)
CBG elevated in?
pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, oestrogen admin
CBG diminished in?
hypothyroidism, protein deficiency, genetic defects
Examples of adrenal androgens that have androgenic-oestrogenic activity
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione