Adrenal hormones

The adrenal gland consists of an outer cortex of glandular tissue and

an inner medulla of nervous tissue.
The glands are composed of two parts which have different structure
and function
The adrenal medulla at the center of the glands secretes
catecholamines , and the outer portion of the gland,the adrenal
cortex , secretes steroid hormones
Adrenal cortex
The adrenal cortex produces three groups of steroid hormornes from
cholesterol.
They are collectively called adrenocorticocoids(corticosteroids)
These groups are:-mineralocorticoids (glomerulus)
-glucocorticoids (fasciculate)
-sex hormones (reticularis)
MINERALOCORTICOIDS

The most superficial region of the adrenal cortex is the zona

glomerulosa, which produces a group of hormones collectively
referred to as mineralocorticoids because of their effect on body
minerals, especially sodium and potassium.
These hormones are essential for fluid and electrolyte balance.
The principal mineralocorticoid is aldosterone
 Although aldestrone primarily affects the kidney , it also acts on the
intestines , salivary glands, and sweat glands.in general its effect is to
conserve sodium ions and water in the body and eliminate potassium ions.
Sodium potassium levels are important in maintaining blood pressure ,
nerve impulses conduction and muscle contraction
When the kidney tubules through negative feedback reabsorb sodium ions
and excrete potassium in response to aldosterone , they also conserve
water and reduce urine output , which increases blood volume
Therefore aldosterone is involved in the regulation of blood volume and
blood pressure too
Cont,
Aldosterone is secreted in direct response to sodium and potassium
ions
The rate of aldosterone secretion increases when there is increase in
blood potassium level or decrease in blood sodium level
Angiotensin also stimulates the release of aldosterone
 Renin-angiontensin-aldosterone system
When renal blood flow is reduced or blood sodium levels fall,the
enzyme renin is secreted byth kidney cells
Renin converts the plasma protein angiotensinogen,produced by the
liver to angiotensin 1
angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) formed in the lungs,proximal
kidney tubules and other tissues converts angiotensin 1 to
angiotensin 2which stimulates the secretion of aldosterone
It also causes vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
-cortisol is the main glucocorticoid but small amounts of corticosterone
and cortisone are also produced
-they are secreted by the middle region of adrenal cortex
-as a group , these hormones help regulate nutrients levels in the
blood,regulating metabolism and responses to stress
-The main glucocorticoid is cortisol , also called hydrocortisone.
Cont,
The secretion is regulated by hypothalamic-pituary-adrenal cortex.
Through negative feedback
The hypothalamus secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
It is stimulated by ACTH from the anterior pituary and by stress
In times of prolonged stress , cortisol is secreted in greater than
normal amounts to help increase glucose levels to provide energy to
respond to the stress
 Glucocorticoids have widespread metabolic effects generally
corncerned with catabolism(breakdown)of proteins and fats that
makes glucose and other substances available for use.these include;
Gluconeogenesis(formation of new sugar from,eg protein)and
hyperglycaemia (raised blood glucose level)
Lypolysis(breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol for
energy production)
Stimulating breakdown of protein,releasing amino acids ,which can be
used for synthesis of other proteins eg enzymes or for energy
production
 Promoting absorption of sodium and water from renal tubules

In pathophysiological and pharcological quantities

glucocorticoids(commonly refered to as steroids) also have other
effects including
-Anti-inflammatory
-Suppression of immune responses
-Delay wound healing
GONADOCORTICOIDS(sex hormones)
They are the third group of steroids secreted by the adrenal cortex
These are secreted in the innermost region
Male hormones, androgens, and female hormones, estrogens, are
secreted in minimal amounts in both sexes by the adrenal cortex, but
their effect is usually masked by the hormones from the testes and
ovaries
All have weak effects, but play a role in early development of the
male sex organs in childhood, and in women during puberty. These
are involved in creating and maintaining the differences between men
and women.
 Hypo secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex leads to a
condition known as addisons disease
When secreted in excess ,they produce masculinization in women and
feminization in men ,or premature sexual development in
children.this is called the adrenogenital syndrome
Hormones of the adrenal medulla
The adrenal medulla develops from neutral tissue and secretes two
hormones;
-epinephrine(adrenaline)
-non epinephrine(nonadrenaline)
-about 80%of medullary secretion is epinephrine
-these two hormones are secreted in response to stimulation by
sympathetic nerves,particularly during stressful situations
-Epinephrine,a cardiac stimilator ,and nonepinephrine,a
vasoconstrictor,together causes an increase in the heartrate ,in the
force of cardiac muscle contraction and blood pressure
Cont.
They divert blood supply to the skeletal muscles and decrease
activities of the digestive tract,dilate the bronchioles and increase in
breathing rate,and increase the rate of metabolism to provide energy
Their effect on the body is similar to the sympathetic nervous system.
They are structurally very similar and this explains their similar effects
 They prepare the body for strenuous activities , they are sometimes
called the fight-or-flight hormones because they respond by;

Increasing heart rate

Increasing blood pressure
Diverting blood to essential organs,including the heart,brain,and
skeletal muscles ,by dilating their blood vessels and constricting those
of less essential organs,such as skin
Increases metabolic rate
Dilate the pupils
Parathyroid hormone
The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called parathyroid
hormone.
A hormone produced by the parathyroid gland that acts to increase
blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclasts to release calcium
from the bone.
The main function of pth is to increase the blood calcium levels
 PTH is the most important regulator of blood calcium levels
The hormone is secreted in response to low blood calcium levels,and
its effect increases these levels
It does this by increasing osteoclast activity in bones so that calcium is
released from the bone to blood,by increasing calcium reabsorption
from the kidney tubules into blood,which decreases the amount lost
in the urine and increasing the absorption of dietary calcium in the
intestines
1)name the steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and their
location
2)List the functions of
glucocorticoid hormone
Mineralocorticoid hormone
Parathyroid hormone
3)With the aid of a diagram briefly descried the negative feedback of
glucocorticoids production
4)Over secretion of gonacorticoids will lead to what in females and in
males?