The Adrenal Glands Flashcards
Parts of the adrenal gland and what they secrete
Zona glomerulosa - mineralocorticoids
Zona fasiculata - glucocorticoids
Zona reticularis - glucocorticoids and small amount of androgens
Chromaffin cells - adrenaline, noradrenaline
Two types of androgens
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Androstenedione
How do corticosteroids exert their actions?
- Readily diffuse across plasma membrane
- Bind to glucocorticoid receptor
- Binding causes dissociation of chaperone proteins
- Receptor ligand complex translocates to nucleus
- Dimerisation with other receptors can occur
- Receptors bind to glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) or other transcription factors
Carrier protein of aldosterone
Serum albumin, and to a lesser extent transcortin
What does aldosterone play a central role in?
Regulation of plasma Na+, K+ and arterial blood pressure. Promotes expression of Na+/K+ pump, promoting reabsorption of Na+ and excretion of K+
The RAAS
Angiotensinogen > (renin) > Angiotensin I > (ACE) > Angiotensin II > ADH, Aldosterone, vasoconstriction
What effect does ADH have on water reabsorption?
Translocation of aquaporin channels aids reabsorption of water back into the blood
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Defect in adrenal cortex:
- Bilateral idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia
- Aldosterone secreting adrenal adenoma (Conn’s syndrome)
Secondary hyperaldosteronism
Due to over activity of the RAAS:
- Renin producing tumour e.g. juxtaglomerular tumour
- Renal artery stenosis
Best way to distinguish between primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism
Primary - low renin
Secondary - high renin
Signs of hyperaldosteronism
- High blood pressure
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Stroke
- Hypernatraemia
- Hypokalaemia
Treatment for hyperaldosteronism
- Aldosterone producing adenomas removed by surgery
- Spironolactone (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist)
Carrier protein of cortisol
Transcortin
Actions of cortisol
- Increased protein breakdown in muscles
- Increased gluconeogenesis in liver
- Increased lipolysis in fat
- Resistance to stress (increased supply of glucose, raise blood pressure by making vessels more sensitive to vasoconstrictors)
- Anti inflammatory effects (inhibits macrophage activity and mast cell degranulation)
- Depression of immune response
Symptoms of Cushings
- Plethoric moon shaped face
- Buffalo hump
- Abdonimal obesity
- Purple striae
- Acute weight gain
- Hyperglycaemia
- Hypertension