Steroids of the adrenal cortex Flashcards
What are the steroids of the adrenal cortex?
→ Glucocorticoids - cortisol
→ Mineralocorticoids - aldosterone
→ androgens
What does aldosterone do?
→ Maintains blood volume by regulating Na+
Where does the blood flow in the adrenal medulla?
→ Outer cortex to inner medulla
What does steroid hormone synthesis always start with?
→ Cholesterol
What does the cortex secrete?
→ Steroid hormones
What does the medulla secrete?
→ Adrenaline
What is the pathway in the zona glomerulosa?
Cholesterol ↓ Pregnenolone ↓ Progesterone ↓ Deoxycorticosterone ↓ Corticosterone ↓ Aldosterone
What is the zona fasciculata pathway?
Progesterone ↓ 17 OH progesterone ↓ Deoxycortisol ↓ Cortisol
What is the zona reticularis pathway?
Pregnenolone ↓ 17 OH pregnenolone ↓ DHEA ↓ Androstenedione
What is the function of mineralocorticoid?
→ Na+ retention
→ Active Na+ reabsorption
→ Active secretion of K+
What is the juxtaglomerular apparatus stimulated by?
→ Increased sympathetic activity
→ Decreased perfusion pressure
→ Decreased Na+ and Cl-
What stimulates aldosterone secretion?
→ K+
How does aldosterone work to retain Na+?
→ Increases Na+/K+/ATPase activity on the apical side
Why does cortisol not work in the kidney?
→ Cortisol levels are higher
→ Cortisol can stimulate the mineralocorticoid receptor
→ cortisol in the kidney gets converted to cortisone
→ by 11 beta HSD 2
What is the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess?
→ Too much cortisol in the kidney
→ High BP