Steroid adrenal cortical

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... 

Corticosteroids (i.e., steroidal compounds) found in urine that possess biological properties resembling those of adrenal cortical extract, either in the increase or decrease of cholesterols levels,... 

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. 

Pharmacology The naturally occurring adrenal cortical steroids have both anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) and salt-retaining (mineralocorticoid) properties. These compounds are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states and may be used for their anti-inflammatory effects. 

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... 

Receptor Structures for Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids. The effects of adrenal-cortical steroids are thought to result from... 

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. 

Amri, H. Drieu, K. Papadopoulos, V. Transcriptional suppression of adrenal cortical peripheral-t5fpe benzodiazepine receptor gene and inhibition of steroid synthesis by ginkgolide B. Biochem. Pharmacol, 2003, 65 717-729. 

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. 

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