Hormone release/regulation

Dopamine. Dopamine (DA) (2) is an intermediate in the synthesis of NE and Epi from tyrosine. DA is localized to the basal ganglia of the brain and is involved in the regulation of motor activity and pituitary hormone release. The actions of DA are terminated by conversion to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by monoamine oxidase-A and -B (MAO-A and -B) in the neuron following reuptake, or conversion to homovanillic acid (HVA) through the sequential actions of catechol-0-methyl transferase (COMT) and MAO-A and -B in the synaptic cleft. 

Nitric oxide, a vasodilatory hormone released by the endothelium, is found in higher concentrations in HF patients and provides two main benefits in HF vasodilation and neurohormonal antagonism of endothelin.9 Nitric oxide s production is affected by the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), which is up-regulated in the setting of HF, likely due to increased levels of angiotensin II, norepinephrine, and multiple cytokines. In HF, the physiologic response to nitric oxide appears to be blunted, which contributes to the imbalance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation. 

SERM, selective estrogen receptor modulator SERD, selective estrogen receptor down regulator LHRH, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. 

Located in close proximity to the primary capillary plexus in the hypothalamus are specialized neurosecretory cells. In fact, the axons of these cells terminate on the capillaries. The neurosecretory cells synthesize two types of hormones releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones (see Table 10.2). Each of these hormones helps to regulate the release of a particular hormone from the adenohypophysis. For example, thyrotropin-releasing hormone produced by the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus stimulates secretion of thyrotropin from the thyrotrope cells of the adenohypophysis. The hypo-thalamic-releasing hormone is picked up by the primary capillary plexus travels through the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal veins to the anterior pituitary leaves the blood by way of the secondary capillary plexus and exerts its effect on the appropriate cells of the adenohypophysis. The hypophyseal hormone, in this case, thyrotropin, is then picked up by the secondary capillary plexus, removed from the pituitary by the venous blood, and delivered to its target tissue. 

Moreno-Reyes, R., Kerkhofs, M., LHermite-Baleriaux, M. et al. (1998). Evidence against a role for the growth hormone-releasing peptide axis in human slow-wave sleep regulation. Am. J. Physiol. 274, E779-84. 

Galanin GAL1 Human cDNA Alzheimer s disease, feeding diabetes, growth disorders, pain, stroke, obesity, Parkinson s disease Inhibition of acetylcholine release, regulation of motility, inhibition of insulin release, stimulation of growth hormone, inhibition of LH-RH secretion... 

Figure 7.10 Hormones that regulate the activity of the hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue. Each hormone binds to a receptor on the outside of the plasma membrane and changes the activity of the lipase within the adipocyte, via a messenger molecule (Chapter 12). A hormone - independent lipase is also present with provides a low rate of release of fatty acid when the former is inactive.

The endocrine system is controlled by the brain. Nerve cells of the hypothalamus synthesize and release messenger substances that regulate adenohy-pophyseal (AH) hormone release or are themselves secreted into the body as hormones. The latter comprise the so-called neurohypophyseal (NH) hormones. 

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. 

Histamine occurs in the brain, particularly in certain hypothalamic neurons, and evidence is strong that histamine is a neurotransmitter. Distribution of histamine, its synthetic enzyme (histidine decarboxylase), and methyl histamine (the major brain metabolite) is not uniform. Possible roles for histamine in the regulation of food and water intake, thermoregulation, hormone release, and sleep have been suggested. Additional information on histamine can be found in Chapter 38. 

Hormone Release Is Regulated by a Hierarchy of Neuronal and Hormonal Signals... 

FIGURE 23-11 Cascade of hormone release following central nervous system input to the hypothalamus. In each endocrine tissue along the pathway, a stimulus from the level above is received, amplified, and transduced into the release of the next hormone in the cascade. The cascade is sensitive to regulation at several levels through feedback inhibition by the ultimate hormone. The product therefore regulates its own production, as in feedback inhibition of biosynthetic pathways within a single cell. 

Adipose tissue produces leptin, a hormone that regulates feeding behavior and energy expenditure so as to maintain adequate reserves of fat. Leptin production and release increase with the number and size of adipocytes. 

Connected to the brain by a stalk (Fig. 30-1), the pituitary gland releases at least ten peptide or protein hormones that regulate the activity of other endocrine (hormone-producing) glands in distant parts of the body. The pituitary is composed of several distinct parts the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), a thin intermediate portion (pars intermedia), and a posterior lobe (neurohypophysis). Each has its own characteristic endocrine functions. 

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