Introduction adrenal gland and hormone release from adrenal glands. Functions of most important hormone.

2. Contents
 Adrenal gland
 Adrenal cortex and medulla – pharmacology
 Synthesis of Aldosteron & Cortisol
 Hormones function of the Adrenal Cortex
 Corticosteroid hormone
 Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)
 Analogues of Glucocorticoides: Prednisolone & Dexamethasone
 Analogue of Mineralocorticoid: Fludrocortisone (9-α-
fluorohydrocortisone)
 Adrenal Medulla
 Summary

3. Adrenal gland

4. Adrenal cortex and medulla – pharmacology
The adrenal cortex secretes three
major hormones
• Glucocorticosteroids, primarily in
the form of hydrocortisone
(cortisol), are secreted from the
zona fasciculata.
• Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)
controls Na_/K_ ion exchange in
the distal nephron and is secreted
from the zona glomerulosa.
• Small amounts of reproductive
steroids are produced. Some
androgens (testosterone), estrogens
and progesterone
The adrenal medulla secretes
Adrenaline (epinephrine) and smaller
amounts of noradrenaline
(norepinephrine).

5. Cholesterol
Anterior lobe
of Pituitary
gland
ACTH
Pregnenolone
Progesterone
11-Desoxy-
corticosteroe
Corticosterone
18-Hydroxy-
corticosterone
Aldosterone
17-α- Hydroxy
pregnenolone
17- Hydroxy
progesterone
21,β hydroxylase
11- Desoxy-
cortisol
11,β hydroxylase
Cortisol
Synthesis of Aldosteron & Cortisol

6. Hormones function of the Adrenal Cortex
Helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function
Helps slow the immune system's inflammatory response
Helps balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar
for energy
Helps regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates,
and fats
Helps maintain proper arousal and sense of well-being

7. Corticosteroid hormone
 Glucocorticoids
The principal glucocorticoid in humans is cortisol (in rodents
corticosterone)
 Cortisol stimulates most body cells to increase their energy
production
 Cortisol causes the cells to increase energy output by using fats and
amino acids (proteins) instead of glucose.
 Inflammation if left unchecked, will lead to excessive tissue
destruction. Cortisol limits the inflammation process.
 Suppressing the activities of white blood cells.

8. Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)
 Regulate the formation of urine
 Increase in blood pressure or volume,
 Increase in the sodium (salt) level in blood,
 Decrease in the potassium level in blood

9. Regulation of Corticosteroid Synthesis
(Craigie, Mullins, & Bailey, 2009)

10. Glucocorticoid synthesis is regulated by the HPA
axis
(Craigie, Mullins, & Bailey, 2009)

11. The body's natural alarm clock
 some people can automatically awake in the morning
without an alarm clock
 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol is
responsible for this,
 cortisol stimulates most body cells to increase their
energy production, which heightens the body's ability ,
 latter stages of sleep, these hormones were released,
causing the body to awaken,

12. Analogues of Glucocorticoides: Prednisolone &
Dexamethasone
Prednisolone
 Prednisolone is an analogue of hydrocortisone that is
approximately four times more potent than the natural
hormone,
 regard to anti-inflammatory metabolic actions,
 considered in progressive rheumatoid arthritis,
 indicated include severe asthma and some interstitial
lung diseases,

13. Dexamethasone
 in the symptomatic treatment of cerebral oedema
associated with brain tumours;
 to prevent respiratory distress syndrome in
premature babies by administration to pregnant
mothers
 in combination with other anti-emetics to prevent
cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting;
 when a corticosteroid is indicated, but fluid retention
is problematic

14. Analogue of Mineralocorticoid: Fludrocortisone (9-α-
fluorohydrocortisone)
 Fludrocortisone (9-α-fluorohydrocortisone) is a potent
synthetic mineralocorticoid, being approximately 500
times more powerful than hydrocortisone,
 It binds to the mineralocorticoid steroid receptor and
mimics the action of aldosterone,
 It is used as replacement therapy in patients with
adrenocortical insufficiency.
 used to treat patients with symptomatic postural
hypotension

15. Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal medulla develops from neural tissue. The
adrenal medulla is reddish brown in color partly
because it contains many blood vessels.
Secreting two hormone-
1. Epinephrine
2. Nor epinephrine
Functions:
Stimulates the body to react to stressful situations.
eg. Stress, Physical activity, Low blood glucose

17. Continue
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18. Functions
Epinephrine: elicits a fight or flight response
 Increase Heart Rate and Blood Presser
 Increase respiration
 Increase metabolic rate
 Increase glycogenolysis
 Vasodilation

19. Epinephrine hormone effects

20. Epinephrine triggers
a signal transduction
cascade

21. Summary