Section 4-adrenal gland Flashcards
(93 cards)
Describe adrenal glands: their name, weight, place
v Paired glands v weight of 8-10 g v situated above and medial to the kidneys
What is the structure of adrenal glands
- surrounded by fibrous capsule and adrenal divided into functional layers
- cortex is about 90 % of adrenal mass, inner medulla about 10 %
- cortex has 3 zones: Zona f. is thickest (about 75 % of cortex) there is cortex and medulla,
- In the order from outside to inside
- capsule
- zona glomerulosa
- zona fasciculata
- zona reticularis
- adrenal medulla
which part of the adrenal gland secrete what hormone
for all hormones synthesized in medulla what is the common precursor
cholesterol->pregnenolone
what is the common enzyme thant converts cholesterol into pregnelone
p450scc
On inner mitochondrial membrane, P450scc (side-chain cleavase) betwen carbon 17 and 20 cleaves the
side chain of cholesterol to produce pregnenolone
what specific enzymes are synthesized only by the cells producing cortisol, aldosterone, androstenedione
cortisol- p450c17
aldosterone-aldosterone synthase
androstenedione- 17,20 lyase
sources of cholesterol
Main source is the diet, but
can also be synthesized from acetyl-CoA
what determines what steroid is synthesized in a cell or tissue
Cell specific expression of enzymes determines what
steroid is produced in a cell or tissue
where enzymes in sterod producing cells are located
vSome enzymes are in the mitochondria others in the
endoplasmic reticulum. Steroid intermediates shuttle
back and forth
When steroid is being synthesized, steroid metabolites needs to shuttle between these organelles
How steroids are different from each other
vMost steroids differ by minor modifications of side
groups, often hydroxyl groups
How intitation of steroidogensis happen and describe this process ( by which protein is regulated, where happens)
- The first step common toall steroids is the formationof pregnenolone from cholesterol
- Takes place in the mitochondria
- Uptake of cholesterol is a rate limiting step and
- Regulated by StAR protein (Steroid Acute Regulatory
protein)
- On inner mitochondrial membrane, P450scc (side-chain cleavase) cleaves the side chain of cholesterol to produce pregnenolone
How StAR is regulated
StAR is cAMP-inducible gene and increases in response to tropic hormones
(i.e. ACTH in the adrenal gland and gonadotropins in gonads
When cAMP is increased, STAR concentrations increase, any protein hormone that can increase cAMP
Is cortisol stored?
No
Half life of cortisol is
70-120 min
what happens to cortisol after 70-120 minutes
- Converted to inactive
cortisone and other
metabolites by liver (for
excretion in urine) and by
other target cells
- In some cells, cortisone can
be reconverted to cortisol
How cortisol secretion is regulated
Function of cortisol (brain, CHO, adipose, skin, GI, growth)
Multiple functions depending on cell type
- brain
- depression
- psychosis
- carbohydrate metabolism
- increased hepatic glycogen deposition
- increased peripheral insulin resistance
- increased gluconeogenesis (promotes protein catabolism)
- increased free fatty acid production
- overall diabetogenic effect ( more glucose is circulating, but not uptaken and protein breakdown)
- GI
* peptic ulcerations - Growth and developement
* Decreased linear growth - Skin
- skin thinning
- muscle atrophy
- Adipose
* promotes visceral obesity
on what hormones cortisol has an effect
Decreasaed LH, FSH, TSH release
Decreased GH secretion
How cells save themselves from prolonged action of cortisol
Type 2 11 beta HSD
converts cortisol to cortisone ( more water soluble) can be excreted in kidneys
Why cortisol/cortisone conversion is important in relation to aldosterone
- Cortisol can activate the aldosterone receptor
- vThe plasma concentrations of cortisol are about 100-1000 fold higher than the concentration of aldosterone
- Aldosterone responsive cells therefore have to inactivate cortisol in order to respond specifically to aldosterone
Enzyme deficiency of HSD 11 beta 2 can lead to
vEnzyme deficiency of HSD11B2 → “AME” syndrome
(apparent mineralocorticoid excess)
vAt high concentrations cortisol interacts with MR
leading to Aldosterone- like symptoms
when there is high cortisol , it can act as aldosterone, causing problems
why there are hydrocortisone in creams
Hydrocortisone creams are used on the skin to treat swelling, itching and irritation. They can help with skin problems such as:
eczema
Skin has HSD1, so can convert back to cortisol
where cortisone can be converted back to cortisol , where does it go and what can happen if there is an overload of cortisol
kidney and other cell types inactivate cortisol to prevent inappropriate
activation of the aldosterone receptor – when cortisol levels are too
high HSD2 is
v overwhelmed and cortisol stimulates Na+/K+ exchange in kidney
causing
v hypokalemia and hypertension
How bicohemically cortisol acts on cells
Acts by increasing transcription of specific genes via activating a
cytoplasmic transcription factor (Class I receptor i.e. cytosolic)
needs to dimerize to be active