Adrenal physiology Flashcards Preview

Year 1 Physiology > Adrenal physiology > Flashcards

Flashcards in Adrenal physiology Deck (18)
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1
Q

What is the function of 17a-hydroxylase?

A
  1. Converts pregnenolone into androgens 1. Converts progesterone into cortisol
2
Q

What is the function of 3B-hydroxysteroid DH?

A
  1. Converts pregnenolone into progesterone (and then aldosterone) 2. Converts 17-OH progesterone into cortisol
3
Q

What is the function of 21-hydroxylase?

A
  1. Converts progesterone into aldosterone 2. Converts 17-OH progesterone into cortisol
4
Q

What is the function of 11B-hydroxylase?

A
  1. Converts DOC (from progesterone) into aldosterone 2. Converts 11-deoxycortisol into cortisol
5
Q

How does ACTH increase adrenal steroid synthesis?

A
  1. Stimulation of melanocortin-2 receptors on adrenocortical cells 2. Increased import of cholesterol 3. Increased transcription of cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme and other enzymes involved in steroid synthesis
6
Q

What are the effects of cortisol?

A
  1. Increase blood glucose levels 2. Inhibits immune system 3. Decreases fibroblast proliferation - decreased CT 4. Increases bone matrix resorption and calcium excretion
7
Q

What are the effects of aldosterone?

A
  1. Increases sodium and water reabsorption 2. Decreases potassium reabsorption
8
Q

How does cortisol increase plasma glucose levels?

A

Inhibits insulin stimulated glucose intake in periphery - insulin will not have as much of an effect

9
Q

How does aldosterone increase sodium and water reabsorption?

A
  1. Binds to mineralcorticoid receptor in cytoplasm 2. Increases transcription of genes for ENaC and Na/K ATPase 3. Sodium moves from tubular lumen into cell 4. Na/K ATPase transports sodium into interstitial fluid in exchange for potassium 5. Water follows sodium
10
Q

What are the catecholamines released by the adrenal medulla?

A

NE and epi

11
Q

How does cortisol regulate epinephrine?

A
  1. Induces expression of epi receptors 2. Increases expression of enzyme that converts NE into epi in adrenal medulla
12
Q

How does cortisol facilitate the effects of NE and epi?

A
  1. Increases glycogen deposition in liver by increasing glycogen synthase and inhibiting glycogen phosphorylase 2. Induces expression of receptors for epi and NE 3. Increases expression of enzyme that converts NE into epi in adrenal medulla
13
Q

What are the causes, symptoms, and pathophysiology of of Cushing’s syndrome?

A
  1. Chronic glucocorticoid (cortisol) excess 2. Hypercortisolism causes hypokalemia and hypertension by binding to aldosterone receptors, increasing effects of epi and NE
14
Q

What are the causes, symptoms, and pathophysiology of Addison disease?

A
  1. Primary adrenal insufficiency 2. Hypotension from unresponsiveness of vascular smooth muscle to catecholamines 3. Hypoglycemia 4. No feedback inhibition of ACTH and CRH (increased levels of both)
15
Q

What are the causes and symptoms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency?

A
  1. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia 2. Buildup of androgens, decrease in aldosterone and cortisol production 3. Hypotension, virilization of females
16
Q

What is the effect of a 17a-hydroxylase deficiency?

A

Cannot form cortisol or androgens - all products shunted into aldosterone pathway

17
Q

What is the effect of a 3B-hydroxysteroid DH deficiency?

A

Low aldosterone and cortisol - buildup of DHEA

18
Q

What is the effect of 21-hydroxylase deficiency?

A

All products shunted into androgen pathway