Mineralocorticoids

Question 1

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 1

on top of kidneys

Question 2

List the layers of the Adrenal Cortex (from superficial to deep).

Answer 2

1. Zona glomerulosa
2. Zona fasciculata
3. Zona reticularis

Question 3

What does the Zona glomerulosa produce?

Answer 3

mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 4

Aldosterone production requires what process?

Answer 4

steroidogenesis

Question 5

List the steps in the pathway for aldosterone synthesis in order (5).

Answer 5

Cholesterol –> Pregnenolone –> Progesterone –> Corticosterone –> Aldosterone

Question 6

Aldosterone secretion is regulated by _______.

Answer 6

kidney (renin-angiotensin system)

Question 7

What does renin do in the process of aldosterone production?

Answer 7

converts angiotensinogen –> angiotensin I (inactive)

Question 8

What organ produces angiotensinogen?

Answer 8

liver

Question 9

Aldosterone is secreted when there is a(n) (increased/decreased) plasma Na+ and a(n) (increased/decreased) plasma K+.

Answer 9

decreased
increased

Question 10

What converts Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II? Where is it found?

Answer 10

angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
lung

Question 11

Angiotensin II acts on cells in the _________ to release aldosterone.

Answer 11

zona glomerulosa

Question 12

Overall, aldosterone controls the content of ____ and ____ in the body directly, while controlling ____ directly.

Answer 12

Na+
K+
water

Question 13

Aldosterone increases renal absorption of sodium via _______ on the basolateral membrane and _______ on the luminal side.

Answer 13

Na/K ATPase pump
ENAC (Na+ channels)

Question 14

As secretion of potassium in the kidney increases, _____ follows via direct transport.

Answer 14

H+

Question 15

How is K+ secreted in response to aldosterone on the renal basolateral membrane? Luminal?

Answer 15

Basolateral: Na/K ATPase
Luminal: passive secretion

Question 16

What two parts of the body does aldosterone act on to increase absorption of Na+ and increase secretion of K+?

Answer 16

kidney
GI tract (intestines)

Question 17

What is different about the intestinal transport of K+ secretion due to aldosterone?

Answer 17

passively AND actively secreted!

Question 18

How is K+ actively secreted in the intestine?

Answer 18

Na/K ATPase, NKCC, BK channels

Question 19

Term for disease with increased aldosterone.

Answer 19

aldosteronism

Question 20

What are the two possible causes of Aldosteronism?

Answer 20

1. adrenal cortex tumor
2. overactive renin-angiotensin system
   (CHF, arteriolar constriction, edema)

Question 21

With Aldosteronism, _______ is increased and ______ is decreased due to negative feedback.

Answer 21

aldosterone
renin

Question 22

In addition to tumor removal, Aldosteronism can be treated with an aldosterone antagonist, _________.

Answer 22

spironolactone

Question 23

Term for disease with decreased aldosterone.

Answer 23

Addison’s Disease

Question 24

Match whether each will increase or decrease during Addison’s Disease:

1. Aldosterone
2. ACTH
3. Renin

Answer 24

1. down
2. up
3. up (negative feedback)

Question 25

What is the cause of Addison’s Disease?

Answer 25

autoimmune destruction of adrenal cortex

Question 26

Addison’s Disease can cause hyperpigmentation due to elevated _____ levels.

Answer 26

alpha MSH

Question 27

Addison’s Disease can cause hypoglycemia due to decreased _____ levels.

Answer 27

cortisol

Question 28

What is the treatment for Addison’s Disease?

Answer 28

exogenous cortisol + aldosterone

Question 29

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency will have the same clinical signs as Addison’s Disease except what two things will be different?

Answer 29

1. normal aldosterone
2. no hyperpigmentation