Hormone 04

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Adrenal Gland :
locates on the topside of the kidney.
In human, two adrenals are present on each kidney.
Histologically, the adrenal has two distinct parts namely,
An outer covering called the Cortex
surrounding by an inner dark-colored mass called the Medulla.

Adrenal Cortex
Zona Glomerulosa:
Outer narrow layer, it is the site of biosynthesis of the Mineralocorticoid hormones".
Zona Fasciculata:
Middle layer, site of the production of Glucocorticoid hormones and Adrenal androgens.
Zona reticularis:
Inner narrow layer, secreting Glucocticoids along with the middle zone.

Adrenal medulla
Adrenal medulla is the inner most part of the gland, which is dark-colored mass. It secretes two distinct hormones,
namely;
Epinephrine (or) Adrenalin
Norepinephrin (or) Noradrenalin

Adrenal Cortex Hormones :

1) Glucocorticoids :
a. Glucocoticoids are an essential component of adaptation to Severe stress.
b. The most important of which is to promote Gluconeogenesis.
c. Glucocorticoids are 21Carbon steroids, with many actions.
d. Glucocoticoids are :
i) Cortisol :
Predominant Glucocorticoids in humans, is made in the zona fasiculata..
 Secretion :
The secretion of cortisol is dependent on ACTH which in turn regulated by Corticotropic
releasing Hormone.
Functions :
a) Increase glucose production in liver by increasing the delivery of amino acids
(Gluconeogenic substrae) from peripheral tissues.
b) Promote protein and RNA metabolism.
c) Promote lipolysis but can cause lipogenesis on other sides (Face and trunk) especially
higher than physiological levels.
d) Suppress the immune response by decreasing the number of circulating Glucosides and
the migration of tissue leucocytes.
e) Necessry for maintanance of BP and cardiac output disorders of glucocoticoid hormones.

2) Mineralocorticoids :
Mineralocorticoids occur in Zona-glomerulosa. Mineralocorticoids are also 21 carbon steroids. Aldosterone is the most
potent hormone in this class.

Secretion :
Aldosterone is the most potent mineralocorticoid does not have any specific plasma transport protein. But it forms a very
weak association with albumin.

Regulation :
Aldosterone regulated by Renin, angiotensin system.

Function or Effects :
The primary action of these hormones is to promote retention of Na+ and excretion of K+ and H+ in the renal
tubule.
ATP provides the energy for this active process.
Aldosterone increases the number of membrane sodium channels.
Aldosterone produces in response to change in the plasma levels of K and angiotensin-II.

Abnormality :
Conns Syndrome:mall adenomas of the glomerulosa cells results in primary aldosteronism called Conns
syndrome.
Adrenal Medullary Hormones :
In humans adrenal medulla contains 80% of epinephrine & 20 % nor epinehrine.
The word nor in norepinephrine ( or noradrenaline) was originally coined to indicate nitrogen (N) without
(O-Ohne) a radical (R), in this case a methyl group.
Epinephrine also called adrenaline. Nor-epinephrine called nor-adrenaline. The above two hormones are called
Catacholamine and are closely related to Tyrosine and synthesized in the body from Tyrosine.

Synthesis
1) Epinephrine differs from tyrosine in following respects.
a. It contains additional phenolic group in Meta position to benzene ring.
b. Contains hydroxyl group attached to b carbon of the side chain. It has a methyl group attached to
amino group.
2) Nor epinephrine is primarily synthesized in sympathetic nervous system and acts locally as a
neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic cell.

Release
The release of catacholamine from the cells of the adrenal medulla is brought about by the action of
acetyl-choline released by stimulation of the nerve.
Transport
Epinephrine is bound to plasma proteins mainly to albumin and nor-epinephrine is to a lesser extent.

Functions
a. Epinephrine lowers the diastolic pressure. Nor-epinephrine increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
b. Epinephrine relaxes the smooth muscles of GIT (Gastro Intestinal Tract).
c. Epinephrine stimulates glycogenolysis producing Hyperglycemia.
d. Both epinephrine and nor-epinephrine increases breakdown of triglycerides in adipose issue by increasing cyclic
AMP level.
e. Epinephrine increases hepatic Gluconeogenesis.
f. Epinephrine increases blood lactic acid level by promoting muscle glycolysis.
g. Epinephrine has a direction inhibitory action on insulin release from beta-cells of pancreas.