Hormone feedback loops

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PLANT HORMONES FEEDBACK LOOPS... 

Blood pressure is also regulated via the hormonal feedback loop shown in Figure II-1-3. The system is affected only by decreases in mean blood pressure (hypotension), which result in decreased renal blood flow. Decreased renal pressure causes the release of renin, which promotes formation of the angiotensins. Angiotensin II increases aldosterone release from the adrenal cortex, which, via its mineralocorticoid actions to retain sodium and water, increases blood volume. Increased venous return results in an increase in cardiac output. Angiotensin II also causes vasoconstriction, resulting in an increase in TPR. 

Blood pressure is also regulated via the hormonal feedback loop shown in Figure-II-1-3. 

Baroreceptors increase their firing rate with increased blood pressure. Therefore, a decrease in baroreceptor sensitivity would decrease input to the vasomotor center, which would be interpreted by the vasomotor center as a decrease in blood pressure. This would lead to an increase in sympathetic outflow. The answer is (E). (If you chose a different answer, review the components of the autonomic and hormonal feedback loops for the maintenance of blood pressure Figure 6-4.)... 

FIGURE 41-1. Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Thyrotropinreleasing hormone (TRH) is synthesized in the neurons within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. TRH is released into the hypothalamic-pituitary portal circulation and carried to the pituitary, where it activates the pituitary to synthesize and release thyrotropin (TSH). TSH activates the thyroid to stimulate the synthesis and secretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 and T3 inhibit TRH and TSH secretion, closing the feedback loop. 

Autonomic and hormonal control of cardiovascular function. Note that two feedback loops are present the autonomic nervous system loop and the hormonal loop. The sympathetic nervous system directly influences four major variables peripheral vascular resistance, heart rate, force, and venous tone. It also directly modulates renin production (not shown). The parasympathetic nervous system directly influences heart rate. In addition to its role in stimulating aldosterone secretion, angiotensin II directly increases peripheral vascular resistance and facilitates sympathetic effects (not shown). The net feedback effect of each loop is to compensate for changes in arterial blood pressure. Thus, decreased blood pressure due to blood loss would evoke increased sympathetic outflow and renin release. Conversely, elevated pressure due to the administration of a vasoconstrictor drug would cause reduced sympathetic outflow, reduced renin release, and increased parasympathetic (vagal) outflow. 

There are also a few examples of positive feedback mechanisms in the endocrine system.25 43 In a positive feedback loop, rising concentrations of one hormone cause an increase in other hormones, which, in turn, facilitates increased production of the first hormone. The primary example of this type of feedback occurs in the female reproductive system, where low levels of estrogen production increase the release of pituitary hormones (LH, FSH).10 43 Increased LH and FSH then facilitate further estrogen production, which further increases pituitary hormone secretion, and so on (see Chapter 30). Positive feedback mechanisms are relatively rare, however, compared with negative feedback controls in the endocrine system. 

The presence of feedback systems in endocrine function is important from a pharmacologic perspective. Drugs can be administered that act through the intrinsic feedback loops to control endogenous hormone production. A primary example is the use of oral contraceptives, when exogenous estrogen and proges-... 

FIGURE 28-1 Negative feedback control in the hypothalamic-pituitary-endocrine pathways. Excitatory and inhibitory effects are indicated by (+] and H, respectively. Negative feedback loops occur owing to inhibition of the endocrine hormone on the pituitary and hypothalamus. 

Figure 18.2. Endocrine-immune inter-relationship in normal subject. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a feedback loop that includes the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal glands. The main hormones that activate the HPA axis are corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The loop is completed by the negative feedback of cortisol on the hypothalamus and pituitary. The simultaneous release of cortisol into the circulation has a number of effects, including elevation of blood glucose for increased metabolic demand. Cortisol also negatively affects the immune system and prevents the release of immunotransmitters. Interference from other brain regions (e.g. hippocampus and amygdala) can also modify the HPA axis, as can neuropeptides and neurotransmitters.

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