GH, Cortisol, Prolactin, Lipids Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is growth hormone stimulated by and what is it inhibited by?
stimulated by GHRH from the hypothalamus
also stimulated by Gherlin (a peptide hormone secreted by the stomach and poorly misunderstood)
inhibited by somatostatin from the hypothalamus, pancreas, stomach and intestines
What are the Major effects of Growth Hormone?
- induces precursor cells in bone and other tissues to secrete IGF-1 which stimulates cell division
- stimulates protein synthesis in muscle
- anti-insulin effects (gluconeogenesis)
What is gigantism caused by?
excess growth hormone from birth
What is proportionate dwarfism caused by?
deficient growth hormone from birth
What is the increased number of deaths associated with acromegaly (and gigantism) caused ?
cardiac hypertrophy
hypertension
atherosclerosis
type 2 DM that leads to coronary artery disease
What are symptoms of acromegaly?
enlarged hands and feet coarsened enlarged facial features coarse, oily, thickened skin a deepened, husky voice due to enlarged vocal cords and sinuses increased chest size (barrel chest)
What are the three zones of the adrenal cortex and what do they make?
- glomerulosa (outer) aldosterone
- fasciculata (middle) cortisol
- reticular (inner) androgens
The adrenal glands respond to stress (trauma, infection, pain, sleep deprivation, fright, emotional stress) by increasing the release of what (two things, from the cortex and the medulla)
cortisol from the cortex and epinephrine from the medulla
What are the physiological functions of cortisol?
- permissive: permits actions of epinephrine and NE on muscle and blood vessels
- maintains glucose
- decreased inflammatory response (such as capillary permeability and production of prostaglandins)
it’s also important for fetal development
What effects does cortisol have on organic metabolism?
stimulation of protein catabolism in bone, lymph, muscle, and elsewhere
stimulation of TG catabolism in adipose tissue, with release of glycerol and fatty acids into the blood
What effects does cortisol have on vasculature?
enhanced vasculature reactivity (increased ability to maintain vasoconstriction in response to norepinephrine and other stimuli)
Other than inflammation and specific immune responses, what else does cortisol inhibit?
nonessential functions like reproduction and growth
An examination of a patient with adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol) will reveal ____ blood pressure and _____ blood sugar.
low BP (in part because cortisol is needed to permit the full extent of epinephrine)
low blood sugar
What is Addison’s disease classified as?
primary adrenal insufficiency
What is often the etiology of Addison’s disease?
autoimmune
Decreased aldosterone often occurs along with cortisol hyposecretion in Addison’s disease. What does this cause?
an imbalance in Na+, K+, and water in the bloodstream
can lead to hypotension
Addisonian crisis is a crisis level of low adrenal function. If a patient goes off cortisol replacement, what are some symptoms that they can experience?
severe vomiting/diarrhea resulting in dehydration
hypotension
arrhythmias (due to electrolyte disturbances–hyperkalemia, hyponatremia)
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
primary or secondary hypersecretion
What is Cushing’s syndrome often caused by?
tumors within the pituitary or adrenal
What is Cushing’s DISEASE?
secondary hyper secretion due to ELEVATED ACTH?
What are symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
osteoporosis muscle weakness thin skin, purple growth striae hyperglycemia immunosuppression redistribution of fat (buffalo hump, abdominal fat, and moon face) hypertension
Treating Cushing’s Syndrome depends on the cause but what are two ways?
surgical removal of pituitary tumor
adrenalectomy
What is iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome?
cushion’s syndrome as a result of chronic glucocorticoid treatment
What are two actions of prolactin?
- increases breast milk production
2. increases smooth muscle contraction within the milk ducts
