Adrenal Cortex stuff

Question 1

Where is cortisol made?

Answer 1

Zona fasciculata

Question 2

What is it bound to?

Answer 2

cortisol

Question 3

What is cortisol’s effect on BP? How does it do this?

Answer 3

Increases BP by upregulating alpha-1 receptors on arterioles; increased sensitivity to norepi and epi.
At high concentrations, cortisol can bind aldosterone receptor too.

Question 4

What is cortisol’s effect on insulin?

Answer 4

It increases insulin resistance.

Question 5

What are cortisol’s metabolic effects?

Answer 5

Promotes gluceoneogenesis, lipolysis, and proteolysis

Question 6

How does cortisol cause striae?

Answer 6

Promotes fibroblast activity

Question 7

What inflammatory effects does cortisol have?

Answer 7

1) Inhibits production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins
2) Inhibits WBC adhesion –> neutrophilia
3) Blocks histamine release from mast cells
4) Reduces eosinophils
5) Blocks IL-2 production

Question 8

What are the effects of cortisol on bone?

Answer 8

Decrease bone formation by decreasing osteoblast activity

Question 9

What promotes cortisol release?

Answer 9

CRH (hypothalamus)–>ACTCH(pituitary)—>cortisol production.
Chronic stress induces prolonged secretion.

Question 10

What does cortisol release inhibit?

Answer 10

Inhibits ACTH and CRH

Question 11

Why can exogenous steroids cause reactivation of TB and candidiasis?

Answer 11

Because cortisol blocks IL-2 production.