Adrenal cortex glucocorticoids

Responses to stress by altering blood flow to skeletal muscles and other tissues as well as enhancing secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex (glucocorticoids) whose metabolic activities enable the body to physically cope with stress... 

Adrenal cortex Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Sex hormones Steroids... 

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)(+) Adrenal cortex Glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens... 

Adrenal cortex Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Regulate glucose metabolism enhance response to stress Regulate fluid and electrolyte levels... 

Steroid hormones are produced in the adrenal cortex and the sex glands. All such hormones originate from cholesterol. Figure 16.4 shows the overall scheme for steroid hormone biosynthesis that is applicable to all tissues. The final products may be divided into the following groups mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone), produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex and the... 

A principle glucocorticoid produced in the zona glometulosa of the adrenal cortex. It is involved in modulating stress responses, immune reactions and food metabolism. 

The adrenal cortex is functionally divided into three zones, the zona glomerulosa, fasciculata, and reticularis. Only the outermost zone, the zona glomerulosa, synthesizes aldosterone. The other zones are responsible for the generation of glucocorticoids and androgens. 

Corticotropin (ACTH) is an anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce and secrete adrenocortical hormones, primarily the glucocorticoids. 

The adrenal gland lies on the superior surface of each kidney. It is a double organ composed of an outer cortex and an inner medulla In response to ACTH secreted by the anterior pituitary, the adrenal cortex secretes several hormones (the glucocorticoids, the mineralocorticoids, and small amounts of sex hormones). 

This section of the chapter discusses the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex or the adrenocortical hormones, which are the glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. These hormones are essential to life and influence many organs and structures of the body. The glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are collectively called corticosteroids. 

Glucocorticoids are secreted by the cells of the zona fasciculata in the adrenal cortex. Hydrocortisone is the most important, and regulates intermediary metabo-... 

The major androgen or androgen precursor produced by the adrenal cortex is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Most 17-hydroxypregnenolone follows the glucocorticoid pathway, but a small fraction is subjected to oxidative fission and removal of the two-carbon side chain through the action of 17,20-lyase. The lyase activity is actually part of the same enzyme (P450cl7) that catalyzes 17tt-hydroxylation. This is therefore a dual function protein. The lyase activity is important in both the adrenals and... 

Non-prescription and herbal products with glucocorticoid activity (e.g., non-prescription anti-itch products with hydrocortisone, herbal products with magnolia bark or those claiming to contain adrenal cortex extracts or other by-products)... 

Adrenal gland A triangle-shaped organ positioned at the top of the kidney which functions as a double endocrine gland . The larger outer adrenal cortex secretes three classes of steroid hormones glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), minerlocorticoids (aldosterone) and small amounts of sex steroids (e.g., testosterone). The inner adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline and noradrenaline). 

The steroid hormones known as mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids are synthesized in the adrenal cortex of mammals [3]. The physiological mineralocorticoid is... 

The hormone cortisol is lip, 17a, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20 dione. It is the major glucocorticoid synthesised and secreted by the human adrenal cortex. Cortisol enters the cell then binds to its receptor. The cortisol-receptor complex enters the nucleus and binds to DNA. 

I. Replacement therapy. The adrenal cortex (AC) produces the glucocorticoid cortisol (hydrocortisone) and the mine-ralocorticoid aldosterone. Both steroid hormones are vitally important in adaptation responses to stress situations, such as disease, trauma, or surgery. Cortisol secretion is stimulated by hypophyseal ACTH, aldosterone secretion by angiotensin 11 in particular (p. 124). In AC failure (primary AC insuffiency ... 

Many steroid hormones are regulated by this type of axis—e.g., thyroxin, cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. In the case of the glucocorticoids, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH or corticoliberin, a peptide consisting of 41 amino acids), which in turn releases corticotropin (ACTFl, 39 AAs) in the pituitary gland. Corticotropin stimulates synthesis and release of the glandular steroid hormone cortisol in the adrenal cortex. 

Cortisol, the most important g/ucocorticoid, is synthesized by the adrenal cortex, it is involved in regulating protein and carbohydrate metabolism by promoting protein degradation and the conversion of amino acids into glucose. As a result, the blood glucose level rises (see p. 152). Synthetic glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone) are used in drugs due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. 

The maximal activity of the adrenal cortex is between 2 and 8 am, and it is minimal between 4 pm and midnight. Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocortical activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity (am). Therefore, administer glucocorticoids in the morning prior to 9 am. 

Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are uniquely produced by the adrenal cortex, and are collectively termed corticosteroids. Apart from aldosterone, glucocorticoid secretion is regulated by the pituitary hormone, corticotrophin. The principal corticosteroids synthesized in the body are illustrated in Figure 1.6. Glucocorticoids generally exhibit weak mineralocorticoid actions and vice versa. 

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