Physiology: Adrenal Glands Flashcards
Primarily steroids in circulation are bound to what protein?
Corticosteroid-binding protein (CBP)
And/or other plasma proteins (albumin)
3 cellular layers of the adrenal cortex?
glomerulosa
fasiculata
reticularis
glomerulosa creates what steroids? what do they do?
mineralcorticoids (aldosterone)
promotes salt and water retention by the kidney
fasiculata makes what steroids? what do they do?
glucocorticoids (cortisol)
increase plasma glucose levels
reticularis makes what steroids?
androgens/ sex steroids
The adrenal medulla makes what steroids?
catecholamines (Epinephrine, Norepinephrine)
chromaffin cells?
produce epinephrine or adrenaline (catecholamine)
Amino acid needed to synthesize epinephrine?
tyrosine
definiceny in cortisol can lead to?
hypoglycemia
3 major classes of steroid hormones?
glucocorticoids
mineralcorticoids
sex steroids
how does cortisol increase plasma glucose?
enhances mobilization of amino acids from proteins in many tissues and to enhance the ability of the liver to convert these amino acids into glucose and glycogen by activating gluconeogenesis
Other actions of glucocorticoids
potent immunosupressive and anti-inflammatory activity, effects on protein and fat metabolism, behavioral effects on the CNS, and important effects on calcium and bone metabolism
Excess glucocorticoid secretion
Cushing syndrome
glucocorticoid deficiency
Addison disease
glucocorticoid excess is commonly seen because of?
individuals receiving treatment for a chronic inflammatory or neoplastic disorder
less common glucocorticoid excess?
cortisol producing adrenal tumor, secondary to a pituitary tumor
Symptoms of overproduction of glucocorticoid? aka?
truncal adiposity, hypertenstion, loss of subcutaneous adipose and CT in the extremities associated easy brusing, loss of bone mineral, muscle weakness and wasting and hyperglycemia
Cushing Syndrome
If pituitary gland is responsible for cushing syndrome it’s called?
Cushing disease
Common cause of glucocorticoid deficiency?
autoimmune adrenal disease
Etiology of glucocorticoid deficiency?
increase ACTH and other products of POMC
Cause hyperpigmentation of skin?
alpha MSH and gama MSH
lack of glucocorticoid predisposes patient to?
hypoglycemia
combined glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid leads to?
hypotension
Aldosterone deficiency leads to?
hyperkalemia
2 sources of cholesterol for steroid hormone synthesis?
- LDL receptor-mediated endocytosis
2. synthesize cholesterol de novo from acetate
Which pathway for cholesterol to synthesize hormone is more important?
LDL cholesterol circulating
Except for 3B-HSD all enzymes are found where for steroid synthesis?
mitochondria or smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Adrenal adnrogens?
dehyroepiandrosterone and androstenedione
21alpha Hydroxylase deficiency?
inadequate production of glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid
hypotension, dehydration, hypoglycemia
excess ACTH
Excess ACTH will cause? (21alpha Hydroxylase deficiency?)
enhanced growth of adrenal gland
excessive production of androgens
females- ambiguous genitalia at birth