Module 7 Flashcards
Adrenal Medulla: Embryology
- Neural crest → neuroblasts → autonomic postganglionic neurons, adrenal medulla, spinal ganglia
- Consists of chromaffin cells (pheochromocytes) = neuroectodermal derivatives and functional analogues of postganglionic fibers (ANS)
- Early fetal life: secretes norepinephrine (NE)
Morphology
- Grossly, reddish-brown
- Enlarged, specialized sympathetic ganglion
- Neuroendocrine transducer (neural signal stimulates hormonal secretion)
- The ONLY autonomic neuroeffector organ w/o a 2-neuron motor innervation
- Innervated by long sympathetic preganglionic, cholinergic neurons forming synaptic connections with chromaffin cells
- Small clumps of chromaffin cells found extra-adrenally and retroperitoneal(aortic and sympathetic ganglia
Adrenal Medulla
Adrenal Medulla: Histology
- 2 adrenomedullary chromaffin cells: 1) NE-secreting 2) Epinephrine (Epi)- secreting
- The hormones are stored in chromaffin granules (osmiophilic, electron-dense, membrane-bound secretory vesicles)
- 80-90% of chromaffin granules synthesize Epi and 10-20% secrete NE
Adrenal Medulla: Histology 2
- Contains dopamine, proteins, lipid, ATP
- Has dopamine β hydroxylase
- Has soluble acidic proteins called chromagranins
- Chromaffin granules are exocytosed in fenestrated capillaries
Adrenal Medulla: Innervation
- Preganglionic sympathetic fibers through the splanchnic nerve
- Myelinated(type B) secretomotor fibers coming from lower thoracic segments (T5 and T9) of the ipsilateral intermediolateral gray column of the spinal cord
- Chromaffin cells are functional analogues of postganglionic fibers; DO NOT HAVE AXONS
Adrenal Medulla: Vascular Supply
- Branches of renal and phrenic arteries reach the outer capsule
- 2 ways the adrenal gland is perfused: 1) portal circulation 2) direct arterial supply via medullary artery traversing the adrenal cortex
- Blood from the capillary plexus on outer adrenal capsule drain into venous sinuses and supply the adrenal medulla
- Single central adrenal vein along the longitudinal axis of the gland
Effector organ: Most vascular smooth muscle, pupils
Relative Affinities: NE>Epi
Signal Transduction Mechanism: activates IP3
Effect on effector organ: Excitatory
Alpha 1
Effector organ: CNS, Platelets, adrenergic nerve terminals (autoreceptors), some vascular smooth muscle, adipose tissue
Relative Affinities: NE>Epi
Signal Transduction Mechanism: inhibits CAMP
Effect on effector organ: Excitatory
Alpha 2
Effector organ: CNS, cardiac muscle, kidney
Relative Affinities: NE = Epi
Signal Transduction Mechanism: activates cAMP
Effect on effector organ: Excitatory
Beta 1
Effector organ: Some blood vessels, respiratory tract, uterus
Relative Affinities: Epi»NE
Signal Transduction Mechanism: activates cAMP
Effect on effector organ: Inhibitory
Beta 2
Effector organ: Adipose tissue
Relative Affinities: NE=Epi
Signal Transduction Mechanism: activates cAMP
Effect on effector organ: Excitatory
Beta 3
Epidemiology: Adults; both sexes; all ages, especially 30-50 years
Biologic behavior: 90% benign, 10% malignant
Secretion: High levels of catecholamines, most secrete norepinephrine
Clinical presentation: Sustained or episodic hypertension, sweating, palpitations, hyperglycemia, glycosuria
- Occasionally asymptomatic (found incidentally on CT scan or MRI)
Macroscopic features: Mass, often hemorrhagic, 10% bilateral, 9-23% extra adrenal
Microscopic features: Nests of large cells, vascular stroma
Pheochromocytoma
Three amines that are synthesized from tyrosine in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla.
dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine
The major product of the adrenal medulla is __.
epinephrine
The conversion of tyrosine to epinephrine requires four
sequential steps:
(1) ring hydroxylation;
(2) decarboxylation;
(3) side-chain hydroxylation to form norepinephrine; and
(4) N-methylation to form epinephrine.
__ is the immediate precursor of catecholamines
Tyrosine
- is the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis
- is found in both soluble and particle-bound forms only in tissues that synthesize catecholamines
- it functions as an oxidoreductase, with tetrahydropteridine as a cofactor, to convert l-tyrosine to
l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa).
tyrosine hydroxylase
- is a monooxygenase and uses ascorbate as an electron
donor, copper at the active site, and fumarate as modulator. - is in the particulate fraction of the medullary cells, probably in the secretion granule; thus, the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine occurs in this organelle.
Dopamine a-Hydroxylase (DBH)
- catalyzes the N-methylation of norepinephrine to form epinephrine in the epinephrine-forming cells of the adrenal medulla.
- Since __ is soluble, it is assumed that norepinephrine-
to-epinephrine conversion occurs in the cytoplasm. - synthesis is induced by glucocorticoid hormones that reach the medulla via the intra-adrenal portal system.
Phenylethanolamine-N-Methyltransferase (PNMT)
(Anatomy)
- Firm, reddish brown, smooth
- 2 lateral lobes and connecting central isthmus
- 30-40 g
- Adherent fibrous capsule
- Highly vascular: one of the highest blood flow rates per gram tissue
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland: Histology
- Follicle (acinus) = functional unit surrounded by a rich capillary plexus
- Single, cuboidal epithelium
- TSH has an effect on the cell height of the follicular cells
- Columnar: active; - flat: inactive
- Follicles depleted of colloid when stimulated
- Lumen contains colloid: clear amber, proteinaceous fluid
- Microvilli extending into the colloid from the lumen
- Parafollicular cells ( C cells): secrete calcitonin
Thyroid Gland: Thyroid hormones
- Iodothyronines
- Phenol derivative
- Thyroxine (T4) and T3: biologically active
- Molar activity (T3 /T4) 10: 1
- Secretory ratio (T4 /T3) 10-20:1
- Plasma concentration ratio ( free T4 /T3) 2:1
- Storage ratio to thyroglobulin ( T4 /T3) 10:1
- rT3 : biologically inactive formed by peripheral conversion by 5-deiodinas
Thyrocytes
- 3 functions: 1) synthesize thyroglobulin 2) collect and transport iodine to colloid 3) release thyroid hormones from the thyroglobulin
- Rests on a basal lamina
- Microvilli found adluminal (near apical area)
Thyroid Gland
- Thyroglobulin: 660,000 Da glycoprotein
- Site of T4 and T3 synthesis and storage
- Each contains 134-140 tyrosyl residues
- 25-30 are iodinated
- 6-8 form iodothyronines
Thyroid Gland
- is the precursor of T4 and T3
- is a large iodinated, glycosylated protein with a molecular mass of 660 kDa.
- is composed of two large subunits.
- contains 115 tyrosine residues, each of which is a potential site of iodination.
- About 70% of the iodide in __ exists in the inactive precursors, monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT), while 30% is in the iodothyronyl residues, T4 and T3.
Thyroglobulin
When iodine supplies are sufficient, the T4:T3 ratio is about __
7:1
- a large molecule of about 5000 amino acids, provides the conformation required for tyrosyl coupling and iodide organification necessary in the formation of the diaminoacid thyroid hormones.
- It is synthesized in the basal portion of the cell and moves to the lumen, where it is a storage form of T3 and T4 in the colloid; several weeks’ supply of these hormones exist in the normal thyroid.
Thyroglobulin
Iodine intake
- In the US, 300-1000 micrograms of daily dietary iodine (averaging 500 ug/d)
- 150 micrograms: recommended minimum intake (≈ 1 mg/week) = euthyroidism
- Salt and bread
- Pregnant pts: 200 ug/d
- Goiter prevention: 75 ug/d
- Neonates: 40 ug/d
Thyroid Iodide
- 5-7 mg iodide in thyroid gland
- Sufficient for 2-3 months if no thyroidal secretion
- 95% in colloid as thyroglobulin
- 2/3 as inactive iodotyrosines
- 1/3 iodothyronines
- 5% found intracellularly in thyrocytes
- Largest iodide storage pool: thyroid gland
Thyroid Hormone Biosynthesis
1) Iodide Uptake
2) Iodide Oxidation
3) Iodide Organification
4) Coupling or Condensation
- Occurs at basal membrane
- Na+I- symporter and Na+ K- ATPase pump (secondary active transport; TSH-driven)
- 120-150 ug/d of Iodide is uptaken
- Lumen to cell iodide ratio 5:1
- Pendrin (I- Cl- transporter at apex)
- Radioactive iodide = useful therapeutic index for functional status of thyroid gland (10-35% daily uptake)
Iodide-131 and iodide -123 - Technetium -99 m
- Iodide Uptake
- mediated by thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
- Iodinium (I+) , iodate ion (IO3-), I, hypoiodous acid (HOI)
- Requires an oxidant (electron acceptor), H2O2
- Iodide Oxidation
- Iodination of tyrosyl residues in the thyroglobulin
- Occurs in exocytotic vesicles fused with the apical membrane
- Need TPO
- The substrate is the thyroglobulin
- Around 15 of 134-140 tyrosyl residues are iodinated
- First at position 3 of ring then position 5
- Iodide Organification
- T3 and T4 are formed w/in exocytotic vesicles near the apical border
- Held in peptide linkage with thyroglobulin
- T needs 2 DIT; T needs 1 MIT and 1 DIT
- TPO mediates this reaction
- Average distribution of iodothyronines: MIT – 23%, DIT – 33%, T4 – 35%, T3 – 7%, rT3 – 2%
- Coupling/Condensation
Thyroid Secretion
- Thyroid secretes 80 ug (103 nmol) of T4 and 4 ug (7 nmol) of T3 per day
- Folds of the apical cell membrane (lamellipodia) encircle bits of colloid bring them intracellularly via endocytosis
TSH-driven
Thyroid Secretion
- Endosomes fuse with lysosomes where peptide bonds are broken – releasing thyroid hormones, DIT, MIT in the cytosol
- Free T4 and T3 cross basal cell membrane and enter adjacent capillaries
- MIT and DIT are degraded into iodine and tyrosine via iodotyrosine dehalogenase/deiodinase
Recycled back into the colloid
Thyroid Hormone Transport and Metabolism: Normal Plasma Level
Normal plasma level T4 : 8 ug/dl (103 nmol/L) range 5 – 12 ug/dl or 65-156 nmol/L
Normal plasma level T3 : 0.15 ug/dl (2.3 nmol/L) range 0.08 – 0.22 ug/dl or 1.2-3.3 nmol/L
Thyroid Hormone Transport and Metabolism 1
Both are bound to plasma proteins such as albumin, transthyretin (aka thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
- 95% T4 is bound to plasma protein; 0.05% is free
- 5% T3 is bound; 0.5% is free
free portion is biologically active
Thyroid Hormone Transport and Metabolism: TBG and Half Life
TBG binds70-75% of T4; Transthyretin 15-20%; albumin 9-10%
TBG binds 70-75% of T3; transthyretin 0%; albumin 25-30%
T4 half-life is 6-7 days; T3 is 30 hrs
T3 acts more rapid and has a shorter half-life; 3-5 times potent on a molar basis
Thyroid Hormone Transport and Metabolism 2
Metabolized in liver, kidneys by deiodination and glucuronidation
33% of T4 is converted into T3 via 5’ – deiodination
45% of T4 is converted into rT3 via 5 - deiodination
87% of T3 comes from peripheral conversion while 13% from thyroid secretion
After glucuronidation, both thyroid hormones are excreted into bile and reabsorbed enterohepatically
Regulation of Thyroid Secretion 1
- Stimulated via TSH or thyrotropin
- TSH is stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (tripeptide) which comes from the hypothalamus and which alters TSH’s glycosylation
- 2 – subunit glycoprotein around 211 amino acids
- α-subunit (chromosome 6) is identical to FSH, LH, placental hCG
- β-subunit (chromosome 1) confers specific binding and biologic activities
Regulation of Thyroid Secretion 2
- Half-life: 60 mins
- Ave. plasma levels: 2 mU/L (range 0.4-4.8 mU/L)
- Upper limit of 2.5 – 3.0 mU/L if pt has no autoantibodies, no goiter, no family hx of thyroid disease
- Debate on age-specificity: 7.5 mU/L in pts80 yrs old
- Circadian pattern: rising in the afternoon and evening, peaking after midnight then decline afterwards
Regulation of Thyroid Secretion 3
- Free T4 and T3 inhibit TSH secretion both directly and indirectly by TRH biosynthesis in hypothalamus
- TSH inhibited by stress via glucocorticoid inhibition of TRH
- In infants but not in adults, TSH secretion is increased by cold and inhibited by warmth
- Dopamine and somatostatin inhibit TSH secretion
Thyroid Hormone
- Thyroid hormones increase Na-K ATPase activity, increase heat production, stimulate oxygen consumption, tissue growth and maturation, lipid metabolism, increase cardiac contractility, increase intestinal carbohydrate absorption
- Thyroid hormones and catecholamines epi and NE have interrelated effects
- Increase metabolic rate and stimulate nervous system and heart
- transcriptional genomics: increased numbers of β-adrenergic receptors in heart, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and lymphocytes
Condition: \_\_ Concentrations of Binding Proteins: Normal Total Plasma (T4,T3,RT): High Free Plasma (T4,T3,RT): High Plasma TSH: Low
Primary Hyperthyroidism
Condition: \_\_ Concentrations of Binding Proteins: Normal Total Plasma (T4,T3,RT): Low Free Plasma (T4,T3,RT): Low Plasma TSH: High
Primary Hypothyroidism
Condition: \_\_ Concentrations of Binding Proteins: High Total Plasma (T4,T3,RT): High Free Plasma (T4,T3,RT): Normal Plasma TSH: Normal
Drugs (estrogen, methadone, heroin, perphenazine, clofibrate), pregnancy, acute and chronic hepatitis, acute intermittent porphyria, estrogen-producing tumors, idiopathic, hereditary
Condition: \_\_ Concentrations of Binding Proteins: Low Total Plasma (T4,T3,RT): Low Free Plasma (T4,T3,RT): Normal Plasma TSH: Normal
Drugs (glucocorticoids, androgens, danazol, asparginase), acromegaly, nephrotic syndrome, hypoprotenemia, cirrhosis, testosterone-producing tumors, hereditary
(Anatomy)
- 4 gray-tan to yellow gray small rounded organs
- Each weighing 30-40 mg (120-160 mg)
- Superior pair arise from 4th branchial pouches
- Superior pair maybe attached to thyroid capsule posteriorly or rarely embedded
- Blood supply: inferior thyroid artery superior thyroid artery
Parathyroid Gland
(Anatomy)
- Inferior pair from 3rd branchial pouches similar to thymus
- Inferior thyroid artery
- Can ectopic found in thymus or anterior mediastinum, carotid sheath, pericardium, pharyngeal submucosa
- 10% of people have supernumerary __
Parathyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland: Histology
- Composed of 1) Chief cells 2) clear cells and 3) oxyphil cells
- Chief cells: small in diameter (4-8 um) with central nuclei, parathyroid hormone (PTH) synthesis
- In active state: prominent ER and dense Golgi bodies
- Clear cells: chief cells with more glycogen
- Oxyphil cells: appear after puberty, larger than chief cells (6-10um); number increases with age
- Not clear if they secrete PTH and if they are derived from chief cells
- Parathyroid gland contains fat which increases with age (60-70% in elderly)
Parathyroid Gland: Physiology
- 99% of total body Ca is in skeleton and teeth
- Remainder in ECF: ionized, protein-bound and complexed
47% of total blood Ca is protein-bound to albumin and globulin; 47% ionized; 6% is complexed to organic ions such as citrate, phosphate and bicarbonate - Serum ionized calcium control vital cellular functions: hormone secretion and action, muscle contraction, neuromuscular transmission, blood clotting
Parathyroid Gland: Physiology 2
- Calcium binding to albumin is pH dependent: increasing with alkalosis, decreasing with acidosis hence if there is hypocalcemia, acidosis tends to be protective
- PTH secretion is inversely related by an inverse sigmoidal curve
- PTH secretion is highly attuned to very small calcium concentrations
Calcium, Phosphorus and Bone Metabolism
- Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed by parathyroid and other cell types (kidneys, thyroidal C cells, brain etc)
- Detect extracellular Ca concentration
- Activated by increases in calcium concentration
- Inhibits PTH secretion
- Inhibits parathyroid glandular hyperplasia
Calcium, Phosphorus and Bone Metabolism 2
- PTH: 115 amino acid (preproPTH) is successively cleaved within the cell to form the mature 84 aa peptide hormone which is packaged into secretory granules
- Very short half-life: 10 mins
- Metabolized in liver, other tissues to midregion
- Carboxyl terminal forms: probably inactive
- Accumulate to very high levels in renal failure pts: kidney excretion
2 types of PTH receptors:
1) type 1 (PTH and PTHrP)
2) type 2 (PTH specific)
PTH-1 vs PTH-2
PTH-1: activates adenylyl cyclase and produces cAMP
Coupled to phospholipase C : IP3 and DAG
PTH-2: found in brain, pancreas, testis, placenta
Natural ligand: tubuloinfundibular peptide (hypothalamic peptide)
Effects of Parathyroid Hormone
- When serum Ca concentration drops, PTH is rapidly released
- Ca reabsorption in distal tubule and medullary thick ascending limb of Loop of Henle
- Calcium release from bones
- Enhanced intestinal calcium absorption
- Chronic PTH surges increases renal 1,25-(OH)2 D3 production
- Calcium and phophate absorption in small intetine
- At least 24 hrs to restore normal calcium levels
- Any increase in vitamin D3 inhibits PTH synthesis
Effects of Parathyroid Hormone 2
- Inhibits Na-dependent phosphate transport in the proximal tubules
- Serum phosphate levels are thought to affect PTH
- Hypophosphatemia enhances 25-OH D3 conversion to 1,25 (OH)2 D 3in kidney
- Hyperphosphatemia inhibits 1, 25 – (0H)2 D3 production and lower serum calcium by complexing with it in the circulation
- Increases urinary excretion of bicarbonate through its action on the proximal tubule causing proximal renal tubular acidosis
Effects of Parathyroid Hormone 3
- In hyperparathyroidism, hypophosphatemia and hyperchloremic acidosis can be seen
- Dehydration common in moderate to severe hypercalcemia
- An effect of hypercalcemia on vasopressin action in the thick ascending limb
- High calcium interacting with renal CaSRs blunt the ability of endogenous vasopressin to stimulate water reabsoprtion hence vasopressin-resistant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Effects of Parathyroid Hormone 3
- PTH enhances bone resorption to restore normocalcemia
- Enhances osteoclastic activity through stimulation of RANK-L (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand) which is expressed on cells with osteoblastic lineage (stromal cells and osteoblasts)
- RANK-L interacts with receptor RANK found on osteoclast lineage to stimulate differentiation and function (bone resorption)
- Once resorption ceases, bone formation ensues because resorption and formation are coupled
- In primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism , PTH production is excessive
- Net bone loss may occur over time
- 141 amino acid peptide homologous at its amino terminal region with PTH
- Recognized by PTH-1 receptor
- Increases bone resorption, increase phosphate excretion, and decreases renal calcium excretion through similar mechanisms with PTH
- Secreted by tumor cells and originally identified as the cause of hypercalcemia of malignancy that mimics hyperparathyroidism
- Produced by many tissues
- Functions as a tissue growth and differentiation factor at local level and a regulator of smooth muscle tone
Parathyroid hormone-related Peptide
Stimulates chondrocyte proliferation and inhibits cartilage mineralization
- Regulates normal development of skin, hair follicles, teeth, breast
- Plays an important role in determining calcium content of milk from lactating animals
- New studies reveal that PTH and PTHrP interact with the receptor causing different consequences
- Each peptide has different effects on the conformational state and the extent of activation of the receptor
- PTHrP can be transcribed from a promoter that bypasses the signal peptide and can enter the nucleus
Parathyroid hormone-related Peptide
- Prohormone produced in the dermis in response to UVB exposure
- Metabolized into its active form in the liver first then in the kidney
- The amount of sunlight exposure necessary to produce sufficient __ is difficult to estimate because of individual differences in skin pigmentation, latitude and time of day
Vitamin D
Dietary sources are relatively modest in vit D content
Fish ingest UV-irradiated sterols in phytoplankton and zooplankton that are converted into vit D and stored in their livers
7 – dehydrocholesterol stored in the epidermis is converted into vit D3 (cholecalciferol) by UV (280-310 nm)
- Breakage of the B ring of the cholesterol to form a secosteroid
- Hormones with an intact cholesterol ring are called steroids
- Similar thing occurs in plants but produces vit D2
- Vit D2 is produced in humans but does appear to have a decreased binding affinity for vitamin D binding protein resulting in enhanced clearance
- This is particularly evident when large intermittent doses are given rather than daily in vit D deficiency treatment
Vitamin D (1)
- Cutaneous synthesis is sufficient to prevent rickets although there is insufficient UVB radiation during winter months in the US hence in 2011, the Institute of Medicine revised the recommended intakes of 400 IU/d up to 1 year of age to 600 IU/d for 1-70 years and 800 IU/d for greater than 70
- Dietary supplements included vit D2 (ergocalciferol) and vit D3 (cholecalciferol)
- Milk in the US is supplemented with 400 IU of vit D per quart
- There is no toxicity with enhanced sun exposure since there is photo-conversion of excess vit D to inactive metabolites
- Vit D produced in skin is lipophilic and transported to liver bound to albumin and a specific vit D- binding protein (DBP)
Vitamin D (2)
- Ingested vit D is transported via chylomicrons to the liver
In the liver: vit D is hydroxylated to 25 – hydroxyvitamin D
*Not closely regulated
*25-(OH) D is transported via DBO in the serum to target tissue and stored in liver and adipose
*Clinical test for Vit D3 is measurement of 25-(OH) D3
Vitamin D (3)
- Final metabolic processing in renal cortex
- Converted to 1,25 – (OH)2 D3
- Increased by PTH, hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia
- Decreased by hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, fibroblast growth factor-23, decreased PTH
- Another control mechanism: 1,25 – (OH)2 D induces 24- hydroxylase which degrades vit D3
Vit D Mechanism
- Vit D receptor is a member of the steroid receptor superfamily of nuclear DNA-binding receptors
- Involves RNA and protein synthesis
- 1,25-(OH)2D has 1000-fold affinity than 25- (OH) D
- Primary target organs: intestine and bone
- Stimulate intestinal calcium transport in duodenum
Vit D Mechanism
- A paracellular route is also possible done passively
- Stimulate active phosphate transport but passive transport dominates this
- Vit D def leads to rickets ( defect in mineralization)
- Defect in mineralization results mainly from Ca and phosphate decreased supply
- 1,25 –(OH)2 D also stimulates osteoclasts to resorb bone to maintain extracellular calcium levels
- plays a central role in phosphate homeostasis, vit D metabolism, bone mineralization
- Produced by many tissues of body but primary source comes from osteocytes
- Phosphate levels rise (renal failure, high-phosphate diet) __ levels elevate
- Levels fall (phosphate depletion, low-phosphate diet), __ levels decrease
- It reduces expression of sodium phosphate co-transporters in kidney and intestine
- Leads to rapid phosphate excretion in kidneys and reduced intestinal phosphate absorption
Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
- Inhibits renal production of 1,25- (OH)2 D
- Direct actions mediated by FGF receptors and co-receptor transmembrane protein named KLOTHO
- __ diseases causing excessive production due to gain of function mutations include X-linked hypophophatemic rickets, autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets, tumor-induced osteomalacia
- FGF mutations causing loss of function can cause syndromes of ectopic calcification, abnormal mineralization, hyperphosphatemia
Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
- Secreted by parafollicular or C cells in the thyroid gland (0.1% of total mass)
- C cells are neuroendocrine cells derived from ultimobranchial body
- Spindle shaped or polygonal cells
- Arranged in nests, cords, and sheets
- is a 32 amino acid peptide with 7 member amino terminal disulfide ring and carboxyl terminal prolineamide
- Differential processing of the calcitonin gene can give rise to calcitonin and other calcitonin gene-related peptides in neurons
- Hypercalcemia stimulated calcitonin release through CaSR
- GI hormones cholecystokinin and gastrin are __ secretagogues
Calcitonin
- interacts with kidney (cortical ascending loop of Henle) and bone receptors (osteoclasts)
- Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP generation
- Main function: lower serum calcium
- Inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption
- Blocks Ca and Phosphate release
Calcitonin
- It has modest effects in kidney tom produce mild phosphaturia
- Overall importance of calcitonin in maintaining calcium homeostasis is unclear
- Serum calcium concentrations are normal in pts after total thyroidectomy
- In pts with medullary thyroid carcinoma, calcitonin rises to very high levels but has no effect on serum calcium levels causing an “escape”
Calcitonin
Gonads
- Bifunctional organs – produces germ cells and sex hormones
- Testes in males - Produce spermatozoa and testosterone
- Ovaries in females - Produce ova and estrogen and progesterone
SYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE
- Takes place in the Leydig cells
- Immediate precursor is cholesterol
- Rate-limiting step is the delivery of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane by the transport protein Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)
SYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE: Pathways
- Progesterone (Δ4)
2. DHEA (Δ5)
SYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE
- Age-related changes in hormone production
- Fetal – testosterone is the predominant hormone
- After birth – androsterone
- Puberty and throught out life – testosterone
- Secretion rate: 5 mg/day in normal adult male
(Transport)
- Binds testosterone and estrogen
- Higher affinity for testosterone
- Produced in the liver
- ↑By estrogen, liver disease, hyperthyroidism
- ↓By androgen, advancing age, hypothyroidism
Sex hormone-binding globulin (testosterone-estrogen-binding globulin)
TESTOSTERONE: TRANSPORT
- SHBG with albumin, binds 97-99 % of circulating testosterone
- Primary function is to restrict the free concentration of testosterone in the serum
- ↑ SHBG free E2/T ratio signs and symptoms of “estrogenization”
TESTOSTERONE: METABOLISM
- Oxidation at 17-position»_space; 17-ketosteroids (androsterone and etiocholanolone)
- Reduction of A ring double bond»_space; Dihydrotestosterone
- Aromatization»_space; Estradiol
- Active form in seminal vesicle, prostate, external genitalia, skin
- Reaction catalyzed by 5α-reductase
- Type I – predominantly expressed in the liver
- Type II – in reproductive tissues and peripheral targets
- 400 μg produced/day
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Stimulate testosterone production in Leydig cells by enhancing rate of cholesterol side-chain cleavage
Luteinizing Hormone
- Binds to Sertoli cells and promotes synthesis of androgen-binding protein (ABP)
- ABP – transport testosterone in very high concentration to site of spermatogenesis
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Produced by the Sertoli cells
- An inhibitor of FSH synthesis and secretion
- Contains an α and β subunit linked by disulfide bonds; two forms differ in their subunits (A or B), while their α subunits are identical
Inhibin
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS (Testosterone)
- Sexual differentiation
- Development of secondary sexual organs and structures
- Spermatogenesis
- Anabolic metabolism and gene regulation
- Male pattern behavior
Target cells for Dihydrotestosterone
Prostate, seminal vesicles, external genitalia, genital skin
Target cells for testosterone
Embryonic Wolffian structure, spermatogonia, muscles, bone, kidneys, brain
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS (Testosterone)
Affinity for receptor: DHT > T
Affinity for Androgen Receptor Element: DHT > T
(SYNTHETIC ANDROGENS)
- Slows catabolism by the liver
e. g. Danazol, Methandrostenolone, Stanozolol
Alkylation at 17α position
(SYNTHETIC ANDROGENS)
- Competes with DHT for binding to testosterone receptor
- Has progestational activity
Cyprosterone acetate
(SYNTHETIC ANDROGENS)
- Inhibitor of 5α-reductase
- Used in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Finasteride and Dutasteride
(PATHOPHYSIOLOGY)
- Due to testicular failure
Primary hypogonadism
(PATHOPHYSIOLOGY)
- Due to defective gonadotrophin secretion
Secondary hypogonadism
(PATHOPHYSIOLOGY)
- Defect in testosterone receptor
- Feminized external genitalia
Testicular feminization syndrome
- Due to increased DHT or testosterone particularly in older males
- Leads to difficulty in urination due to obstruction of the urethra
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
FEMALE SEX HORMONES
- Estradiol (E2) - Primary estrogen from the ovaries
- Formed from testosterone - Estrone (E1) - Formed from androstenedione
- Estriol - Produced during pregnancy from the placenta
- Progesterone
FEMALE SEX HORMONES: BIOSYNTHESIS
- Formed by the aromatization of androgens
- Involves 3 hydroxylation steps
- Requires O2 and NADPH
SEX HORMONES: BIOSYNTHESIS (CELLULAR SOURCES)
- Source of androstenedione and testosterone
Theca cells
SEX HORMONES: BIOSYNTHESIS (CELLULAR SOURCES)
- Converts androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol
Granulosa cells
SEX HORMONES: BIOSYNTHESIS (CELLULAR SOURCES)
- Produces progesterone and some estradiol
Corpus luteum
PERIPHERAL AROMATIZATION OF ANDROGEN
For males
- Accounts for 80% of estradiol
- Contributes to “estrogenization” in cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, ageing and obesity
For females
- 50% of E2 during pregnancy
- Major source of E1 in postmenopausal women
- Binds estradiol 5x less avidly than testosterone or DHT
- Little affinity to progesterone
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
- Binds progesterone with equal affinity to cortisol
- Little affinity for estradiol, testosterone, DHT or estrone
CBG
FEMALE SEX HORMONES: SECRETION
- Rate of secretion of ovarian hormones varies during menstrual cycle
- No storage
Metabolism: Estrogen
- Liver converts estradiol and estrone to estriol
- Conjugated to glucuronide and sulfate
- Conjugated steroids do not bind to transport protein; excreted readily in bile, feces and urine