Hormones regulation of human metabolism

HORMONAL REGULATION OF HUMAN METABOLISM 7.2.1 General Characteristics of Human Metabolism... 

The two principal groups of adrenal steroids are the glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. These hormones are synthesized from cholesterol within cells of the adrenal cortex. The primary glucocorticoid produced in humans is cortisol (hydrocortisone), and the primary mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Glucocorticoids exert a number of effects such as regulation of glucose metabolism, attenuation of the inflammatory response, and suppression of the immune system. Mineralocorticoids are involved primarily in the control of fluid and electrolyte balance. 

Schweikert, H. U. and Wilson, J. D. (1974a). Regulation of human hair growth by steroid hormones I Testerone metabolism in isolated hairs. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38, 811-819. 

Mineral elements play a key role in the human body and especially in the regulation of cell metabolism. They are either incorporated into the tissues or else are present in body liquids in ionic form. They also participate in metabolic processes such as electrolyte and hormone economy, haematopoiesis, and development of the nervous and skeletal systems [1,2]. 

Iodine is essential for the formation of the thyroid hormone which is an important regulator of energy metabolism. In iodine deficiency, simple or so-called endemic goiter develops. The human requirement of iodine is... 

My interest in avian adipose tissue developed in a somewhat devious way, as a consequence of observations about the effect of glucagon on the serum lipids of hyperlipemic human subjects. We found that daily repeated glucagon injection caused a marked decrease of the various lipid fractions (cholesterol, phospholipids, total fatty acids), followed by an elevation when the administration of the hormone was discontinued. This and other observations - suggested a role of glucagon in the regulation of lipid metabolism, and I decided to look into the question. 

Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) is an 84 amino acid polypeptide that functions as a primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bones. It stimulates bone formation by osteoblasts, which display high-affinity cell surface receptors for the hormone. PTH also increases intestinal absorption of calcium. 

There are several ways by which TSH secretion can be increased. An increased hepatic enzyme activity may cause an increased metabolism of thyroid hormones, leading to lower semm hormone levels, which in mm leads to increased secretion of TRH, and subsequently increased TSH secretion. Regarding human relevance, the pathways for regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis of rats and humans are similar and the mechanism is relevant for humans, but the human system is far more resistant to perturbation. 

The steroidal nature of adrenocortical hormones was established in 1937, when Reichstein synthesized desoxycorticosterone. Eventually it was clearly established that the adrenal cortex elaborated a number of hormones and that these compounds differed in their amount of inherent metabolic (glucocorticoid) and electrolyte regulating (mineralocorticoid) activity. The actions of these hormones extend to almost every cell in the body. In humans, hydrocortisone (cortisol) is the main carbohydrate-regulating steroid, and aldosterone is the main electrolyte-regulating steroid. 

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