Adrenal Glands Flashcards
(156 cards)
In order to sythesize cortisol in the adrenal cells, _ must be taken into the adrenal cells and processed
In order to sythesize cortisol in the adrenal cells, LDL must be taken into the adrenal cells and processed
Once LDL is transported into adrenal cells (for cortisol synthesis) the LDL is broken down into cholesterol esters within the _
Once LDL is transported into adrenal cells (for cortisol synthesis) the LDL is broken down into cholesterol esters within the lysosome
* Cholesterol esters are further hydrolyzed into cholesterol
_ is the protein which transfers cholesterol into the mitochondria (rate limiting step of steroid production)
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is the protein which transfers cholesterol into the mitochondria (rate limiting step of steroid production)
Cholesterol is converted into _ inside the mitrochondria by the enzyme cholesterol desmolase
Cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone inside the mitrochondria by the enzyme cholesterol desmolase
* Pregnenolone –> progesterone (SER)
* Later 11 deoxycortisol –> cortisol (mitochondria)
Cortisol is (hydrophilic/lipophilic) and travels freely in the bloodstream
Cortisol is lipophilic and does not travels freely in the bloodstream
The vast majority of cortisol will be (free/bound)
The vast majority of cortisol will be bound
* 90% will be bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin/ transcortin
Only _ cortisol can enter cells and activate the receptor
Only free cortisol can enter cells and activate the receptor
Glucocorticoid receptors are found in the _
Glucocorticoid receptors are found in the cytosol of virtually every nucleated cell
The response to cortisol takes hours to days because cortisol acts by affecting _
The response to cortisol takes hours to days because cortisol acts by affecting gene expression, which in turn will affect protein synthesis
Cortisol (increases/decreases) GLUT4 transporter expression
Cortisol decreases GLUT4 transporter expression
* Glucocorticoids decrease glucose utilization to maintain availability
Cortisol acts on the pancreas to _ insulin and _ glucagon secretion
Cortisol acts on the pancreas to decrease insulin and increase glucagon secretion
* Cushing syndrome can cause a person to develop insulin resistant diabetes
Cortisol increases lipolysis to generate _ , which can be used for energy in times of stress
Cortisol increases lipolysis to generate glycerol, which can be used for energy in times of stress
Cortisol _ protein synthesis and _ peripheral amino acid uptake in muscles
Cortisol inhibits protein synthesis and decreases peripheral amino acid uptake in muscles
* Can cause muscle wasting in patients with excess
The way that cortisol maintains a normal blood pressure is by _
The way that cortisol maintains a normal blood pressure is by upregulating the number of alpha1 receptors on arterioles
* This increases the sensitivity to NE and E
Cortisol decreases inflammation by inhibiting the production of _
Cortisol decreases inflammation by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators like leukotrienes, prostaglandins, IL-2, IFN-gamma, IFN-a, TNF-alpha
Cortisol can increase the total number of neutrophils on WBC via _
Cortisol can increase the total number of neutrophils on WBC via inhibiting the adhesion of WBCs to blood vessel walls, shifting the neutrophils from vessel wall to the circulation
Cortisol causes _ in fibroblast activity
Cortisol causes decreased fibroblast activity
* Leads to decreased collagen synthesis and diminished wound healing
Decreased fibroblast activity caused by cortisol can manifest as _
Decreased fibroblast activity caused by cortisol can manifest as striae
Cortisol _ osteoblast activity
Cortisol decreases osteoblast activity
* Patients on glucocorticoids are at risk of osteoporosis
Why are glucocorticoids given to mothers who go into labor prematurely?
Glucocorticoids are very important to the maturation of lungs and to the production of surfactant
The hypothalamus releases CRH in a _ fashion
The hypothalamus releases CRH in a pulsatile fashion
* We always have a basal level of cortisol, ACTH, CRH
* The HPA axis is responsible for cortisol regulation
The cell bodies that produce CRH are located in the _
The cell bodies that produce CRH are located in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Aldosterone is lipophilic and freely travels in the bloodstream; however the majority will be bound to _
Aldosterone is lipophilic and freely travels in the bloodstream; however the majority will be bound to albumin or transcortin, cortisol, progesterone
MR receptors have equal affinity for mineralocorticoids and cortisol; what is the consequence of this
High levels of cortisol can stimulate MR receptors and cause effects similar to hyperaldosteronism