Adrenal cortical steroid hormones

CAS 9002-60-2. One of the hormones secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It stimulates an increase in the secretion of the adrenal cortical steroid hormones. It is a polypeptide consisting of a 39-unit chain of amino acids, the sequence varying in certain positions with the biological species. ACTH was synthesized in 1960. 

An adrenal cortical steroid hormone that is the most powerful mineralocorticoid. Probably the chief regulator of sodium, potassium, and chlorine metabolism approximately 30 times as active as deoxycorticosterone. 

CAS 50-22-6. C21H30O4. One of the less active adrenal cortical steroid hormones. 

CAS 53-06-5. C2II I28Ov An adrenal, cortical, steroid hormone. It affects carbohydrate and protein metabohsm. 

CAS 64-85-7. C21H30O3. An adrenal cortical steroid hormone. Active in causing the retention of salt and water by the kidney. 

The science of endocrinology was developing rapidly at this time. Outstanding was the isolation of insulin for treatment of diabetes by Banting in the early 1920s. Continuing research in this field led to the development of many hormones for treatment of a wide variety of disorders, especially the adrenal cortical steroid hormone (ACTH), cortisone, and thyroxine. 

The structure of steroids—cholesterol, female sex hormones, male sex hormones, adrenal cortical steroids, anabolic steroids, and oral contraceptives (Section 29.8)... 

Many other important steroids are hormones secreted by the endocrine glands. Two important classes are the sex hormones and the adrenal cortical steroids. 

A second group of steroid hormones includes the adrenal cortical steroids. Three examples of these hormones are cortisone, cortisol, and aldosterone. All of these compounds are synthesized in the outer layer of the adrenal gland. Cortisone and cortisol serve as anti-inflammatory agents and they also regulate carbohydrate metabolism. Aldosterone regulates blood pressure and volume by controlling the concentration of Na and in body fluids. 

In addition to the several adrenal cortical steroids whose biological effects relate to cortical function, some with androgenic (male sex hormonal) activity are also produced. 

The steroid hormones can be divided into five classes glucocorticoids, mineralo-corticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestins. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorti-coids are synthesized in the adrenal cortex and are collectively known as adrenal cortical steroids. All adrenal cortical steroids have an oxygen at C-11. 

Adrenal Cortical Hormones" under "Hormones" in ECT 1st ed., VoL 7, pp. 495—513, by H. B. MacPhUlamy, Ciba Pharmaceutical Products and T. F. Gallagher, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research "Steroids with Cortical Hormone Activity" in ECT 1st SuppL, pp. 849—888, by G. Aimer and A. Wettstein, Ciba Limited, Basle "Adrenal-Cortical Hormones" under "Hormones" in ECT 2nd ed., Vol. 11, pp. 77—93, by W. R. Ebedein, The Children s Hospital of Philadelphia in ECT 3rd ed., Vol 12, pp. 575—602, by V. Petrow, Consultant. 

It was known as early as 1927 that the adrenal glands of mammalian species secrete a series of substances essential to the survival of the individual. The hormonal nature of these secretions was suggested by the observation that extracts of the adrenal gland and more specifically of the outer portion of that organ (cortex) would ensure survival of animals whose adrenals had been excised. By 1943 no fewer than 28 steroids had been isolated from adrenal cortical extracts. These compounds were found to be involved in the regulation of such diverse and basic processes as electrolyte balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and resistance to trauma, to name only a few. 

Corticosteroids are hormones secreted from the adrenal cortex. These hormones arise from the cortex of the adrenal gland and are made from the crystalline steroid alcohol cholesterol. Synthetic forms of the natural adrenal cortical hormones are available The potent antiinflammatory action of the corticosteroids makes these drugs useful in the treatment of many types of musculoskeletal disorders. The corticosteroids are discussed in Chapter 50. 

Testosterone, the major androgenic hormone, accounts for 95% of the androgen concentration. The primary source of testosterone is the testes however, 3% to 5% of the testosterone concentration is derived from direct adrenal cortical secretion of testosterone or C-19 steroids such as androstenedione.17,18... 

Amri H, Drieu K, Papadopoulos V. (1997). Ex vivo regulation of adrenal cortical cell steroid and protein synthesis, in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation, by the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 and isolated ginkgolide B. Endocrinology. 138(12) 5415-26. 

In the animal body three important groups of hormones are formed by the metabolism of cholesterol the progestins, the sex hormones, and the adrenal cortical hormones 249 Their synthesis occurs principally in mitochondria of the adrenal cortex and the gonads. Steroid hormone synthesis is regulated by hormones, such as corticotropin (ACTH), from the anterior pituitary250 (see Chapter 30) and is also dependent upon the recently discovered steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, which in some way promotes the movement of stored cholesterol into mitochondrial membranes.251 252 Some major pathways of... 

Ascorbic acid may be required for steroid hormone biosynthesis depleted from adrenal cortex on cortical secretion Biotin adrenocortical insufficiency noted in biotin deficiency... 

Anabolic effects Anabolic steroids can be used to treat senile osteoporosis and severe burns, to speed recovery from surgery or from chronic debilitating diseases, and to counteract the catabolic effects of externally administered adrenal cortical hormones. 

Steroids include sex hormones and adrenal cortical hormones cortisone is one), cardiac glycosides, and bile acids. Because of their biological importance— and, undoubtedly, because of the fascinating complexity of the chemistry—the study of steroids has been, and is now, one of the most active areas of organic chemical research. 

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