adrenal gland & hormones

1. Ms.Anu Sebastian: B.Pharm; M.Pharm
Assistant Professor,
Dept. Of Pharmacology
Nirmala College Of Pharmacy
Muvattupuzha,Ernakulam,Kerala

2.  A pair of adrenal glands, ie each lies superior to the
kidney.(so they are known as supra renal glands)
 Having pyramidal shape , with a weight of 3.5-5g.
ANATOMY
 Adrenal gland is differentiated into two regions:
 Adrenal cortex:- It is the peripheral part, i.e 80-90% of
gland is adrenal cortex.
 Adrenal medulla:-It is the central part, 10-20%

5. ADRENAL CORTEX
 It is subdivided into 3 Zones, each of which secretes
different hormones.
1)Zona glomerulosa:-
 It is the outer zone.
 It is made up of closely packed cells arranged in
spherical clusters & arched column.
 It secretes the hormones mineralocorticoids.

6. 2) Zona fasiculata :-
 It is the middle & widest of 3 zones.
 The cells are arranged in long ,straight columns.
 It secretes the hormones Glucocorticoids
3) Zona reticularis:-
 The innermost layer, cells are arranged in branching
cords.
 It secretes the hormone Androgen.

8. MINERALOCORTICOIDS
 Main function is mineral homeostasis.
 Major mineralocorticoid is Aldosterone
(regulate sodium & patassium levels)
 The secretion of Aldosterone is regulated by
Renin – Angiotensin – Aldosterone system.

9. Dehydration/hemorrhage
Decreases blood volume
Decreases blood pressure
Decreased blood volume & Bp stimulate JG cells of Kidney
Release Renin
Angiotensinogen Angiotensin I
ACE
Angiotensin II
Stimulate adrenal cortex to release Aldosterone
Aldosterone incresese Na+ & water reabsorption in kidney
Increases blood volume

10. GLUCOCORTICOIDS
 Main function is glucose homeostasis & regulation of
metabolism and resistance to stress.
 The glucocorticoids include cortisol (Hydrocortisone),
corticosterone and cortisone.
 95% of corticosteroids is cortisol

11. FUNCTIONS OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS
 Protein breakdown
 Glucose formation
 Lipolysis
 Resistance to stress
 Anti – inflammatory effects
 Depression of immune response

12. ANDROGENS
 Androgen is secreted in small quantity in male &
female in the form of Dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA).
 In female, the majority of secreted androgen is
converted into estrogen.
 Androgen stimulate axillary and pubic hair growth in
boys and girls

13. ADRENAL MEDULLA
 It is the inner /central region of adrenal gland.
 It contains the hormone secreting cells called
chromaffin cells.
 The two major hormones secreted are epinephrine &
Nor epinephrine.
 Cortisol, stimulate the synthesis of enzyme that
converts Nor-epinephrine to epinephrine.
 The main function is Fight or flight response(increase
heart rate ,Blood pressure, Blood flow etc)

14. THANK YOU