Endocrine Physiology The Adrenal Gland 1

2. Endocrine PhysiologyThe Adrenal Gland 1 Dr.Mouaadhabdelkarim Assistant Professor of Physiology Department of Physiology 2nd floor Email: mabdelkarim@ksu.edu.sa Tel: 0114671606

3. Cortex Adrenal (Suprarenal) Glands Medulla • Adrenal glands are paired, pyramid-shaped organs at the top of the kidneys. • Weigh 6-10 g. • Structurally and functionally, they are two glands in one • Adrenal cortex (80-90%)– glandular tissue derived from embryonic mesoderm • Adrenal medulla (10-20%)– formed from neural ectoderm, can be considered a modified sympathetic ganglion

4. Adrenal Cortex • Synthesizes and releases steroid hormones (corticosteroids) • Different corticosteroids are produced in each of the three layers: • Zona glomerulosa – mineralocorticoids (mainly aldosterone) • Zona fasciculata – glucocorticoids+Androgens(mainly cortisol and corticosterone) • Zona reticularis – gonadocorticoids + glucocorticoids (mainly dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA)

5. Adrenal Gland Guyton and Hall

6. Adrenal Cortex Salt Sugar Sex Guyton and Hall

7. HPA Axis Guyton and Hall

8. Steroid Hormones: Structure Guyton and Hall

9. Steroid Hormones Synthesis • Steroids are derivatives of cholesterol • Cholesterol is from the lipid droplets in cortical cells • Removed cholesterol is replenished by cholesterol in LDL in blood or synthesized from acetate

10. Steroid Hormones Synthesis (Cont.) • Steroid hormones are synthesized and secreted on demand (not stored) • The first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of all steroid hormones is conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by the enzyme cholesterol dismolase (cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (SCC)) • Newly synthesized steroid hormones are rapidly secreted from the cell • Following secretion, all steroids bind to some extent to plasma proteins: CBG (corticosteroid binding globulin) and albumin

11. Steroidogenesis: Steroidogenesis entails processes by which cholesterol is converted to biologically active steroid hormones

12. Genetic Defects in Adrenal Steroidogenesis cortisol ACTH ِAdrenal hyperplasia • Congenital adrenal hyperplasias: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from mutations of genes for enzymes mediating the biochemical steps of production of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands (steroidogenesis).

13. Congenital adrenal hyperplasias • 21-hydroxylase (P450c21) deficiency: cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone deficiency *ACTH Adrenal hypertrophy and high amounts of androgen * Virilizationof female (masculanization)

14. Steroid Hormones: Action Guyton and Hall

15. Hormones of adrenal cortex

16. 1- Cortisol is at 1000 fold higher concentrations than aldosterone2- Corticosterone >>>>aldosterone3- Cortisol binds well to the mineralocorticoid receptor

17. Mineralocorticoids: Aldosterone • A steroid hormone. • Essential for life. • Synthesized in zonaglomerulosa • Responsible for regulating Na+reabsorptionin the distal tubule and the cortical collecting duct • Target cells are called “principal (P) cell”. • It also affects Na+ reabsorption by sweat, salivary and intestinal cells. * Stimulates synthesis of more Na/K-ATPase pumps.

18. Mineralocorticoids: Aldosterone • Aldosterone secretion is stimulated by: • Decreasing blood volume or pressure (renin-angeotensin system). • Rising blood levels of K+ • Low blood Na+ • ACTH

19. Aldosterone synthesis • Voltage-sensitive calcium channels open and the intracellular calcium concentration increases—activating calcium calmodulinkinase. • Calcium channel blockers inhibit aldosterone synthesis.

20. Aldosterone levels fluctuate diurnally—highest concentration being at 8 AM, lowest at 11 PM, in parallel to cortisol rhythms.

22. The Four Mechanisms of Aldosterone Secretion • Renin-angiotensin mechanism – kidneys release renin, which stimulates angiotensin II that in turn stimulates aldosterone release • Plasma concentration of potassium and sodium– directly influences the zona glomerulosa cells • ACTH – causes small increases of aldosterone during stress • Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) – inhibits activity of the zona glomerulosa

23. The Four Mechanisms of Aldosterone Secretion Guyton and Hall

24. Actions of Aldosterone Stimulates sodium reabsorption by distal tubule and collecting duct of the nephron and promotes potassium and hydrogen ion excretion • Increases transcription of Na/K pump • Increases the expression of apical Na channels and an Na/K/Cl cotransporter • Expands ECF volume

25. Aldosterone binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor in target cells and affects transcriptional changes typical of steroid hormone action. • The kidney is the major site of mineralocorticoid activity.

26. Aldosterone: Role in diseases • Complete failure to secrete aldosterone leads to death (dehydration, low blood volume). • Hyperaldosterone states: Contribute to hypertension associated with increased blood volume.

27. Overproduction of aldosterone • primary causes, ie. Conn’s syndrome • adenoma, nodular hyperplasia of zona glomerulosa • secondary • cirrhosis, ascites, nephrotic syndrome • symptoms, signs • headache, hypokalemia causing muscle weakness, hypernatremia, hypervolemia, nocturnal polyuria, hand cramping

28. J winker

29. Overproduction of aldosterone • treatment • surgical for adenoma • Spironolactone

30. Thank you شكرا على حسن الإستماع