HORMONES

In our body regulation and coordination of activities is

done by CNS & Endocrine system.
 Hormones are chemical messenger which is secreted
in trace amounts by glands and enter in circulation
and than act on a target cell to stimulate a
biochemical or physiological activity.
General Features of Hormones
 Required in trace amount (10-7 -10-12M)
 Short lived and quickly inactivated by enzyme.
 Differences in response time due to differences in
mode of action.
 Some polypeptide hormones are synthesized as
prohormones.
 They bind to Specific receptors on the target cells.
 Some may have intracellular second messengers.
Classification
Chemical composition :
Amines Peptides Steroids
Epinephrine Insulin Adrenal Hormones
Thyroxin Pituitary Hormones Sex Hormones

Location of receptors :

Intracellular receptors
Cell surface receptors:

Solubility:

Lipophilic Hydrophilic
 Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is small (0.5-1.0gm) & ovoid
shaped, which is located at the base of the brain &
attached to the hypothalamus by nerve fibers. It is
called the "master" gland because it controls the
functions of the other glands. Its.
The pituitary gland itself consists of three sections:
Anterior lobe
Intermediate lobe
Posterior lobe
Anterior lobe:
1. Growth hormone
2. Prolactin
3. ACTH
4. TSH
5. FSH
6. LH

Intermediate lobe:
• MSH
Posterior lobe:
ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
Oxytocin
Abnormalities of Pituitary:
Hyposicretion

Dwarfism:-Normal mental growth but abnormal

physical and physiological growth in children.

Pituitary Myxedema: In adults. Body becomes

fluffy & weak, Fertility is also decline.

Hyposicretion: Overproduction of Pituitary

hormone causes excessive growth. In children, the
condition is called Gigantism, In adults, it is
called Acromegaly.
 Thyroid Gland
• Thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine
gland in the body,which is located in the neck in
ventral part of larynx.It is a butterfly-shape organ
and is composed of two cone-like lobes, which is
connected via the
isthmus.
• Thyroid gland
produce T3 and T4.
which regulate the rate of
metabolism and affect the
growth
Biosynthesis:
Functions:
 The primary function of the thyroid gland is to
produce and secrete T4 and T3, which are
hormones involved in many aspects of growth,
development, and metabolism.
 Promote Protein synthesis & activates DNA to
produce RNA.
 Stimulate gluconeogenesis & increase blood
sugar level.
 Thyroxin lowers cholesterol level, due to increase
formation of LDL receptors in liver which
increase removal of circulating cholesterol.
 Abnormalities of Thyroid

Hypothyroidism:fatigue,constipation,weight gain,
memory and mental impairment,depression,dry
skin and cold intolerance.

Hyperthyroidism: nervousness, tremors, sweating,

heat intolerance, weight loss with normal caloric
intake and muscle weakness.

Graves Disease: It is an autoimmune disease

resulting from the formation of antibodies against
the TSH receptors in the thyroid gland.
 PARATHYROID GLAND
The parathyroid glands are small gland in the neck
that produce Parathormone. Humans have four
parathyroid glands,which
are usually located behind
the thyroid gland. It is a
small protein that takes part
in the control of calcium &
phosphate homeostasis,
as well as bone physiology.
Function:

Abnormalities of Parathyroid:
Hyperparathyroidism:Osteoporosis,kidney stones.
Hypoparathyroidism: Tetany
Calcium homeostasis
 PANCREAS
The pancreas is both an endocrine as well as
exocrine gland. The part of the pancreas with
endocrine function is made
up of a million cell clusters
called islets of Langerhans.
α cells secrete glucagon
(increase glucose in blood),
β cells secrete insulin
(decrease glucose in blood),
δ cells secrete
somatostatin (regulates/stops α and β cells)
Insulin:

FUNCTION:
 Insulin triggers the body's cells to allow glucose to
enter them. The body's cells need insulin for
energy to perform necessary body functions.
 Abnormalities of Insulin hormones:
Hypoglycemia: Hunger, nervousness, sweating
dizziness, confusion, anxiety, weakness.

Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar, is a condition in

which an excessive amount of glucose circulates
in the blood (180 mg/dl),but symptoms may not
start to become noticeable until even higher values
such as (270-360 mg/dl).

Diabetes Mellitus
“It is a group of metabolic diseases characterized
by high blood sugar levels, that result from defects
in insulin secretion, or action, or both.”
FUNCTION: Insulin triggers the body's cells to
allow glucose to enter them. Glucagon having
opposite action than insulin.
 ADRENAL GLAND
There are 2 adrenal glands located above the
kidneys.
Adrenal medulla(20%) is the inner portion and it
secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine which
involved in the “fight or flight”mechanism of the
nervous system.
Adrenal cortex(80%)
is the outer portion and
secretes a variety of
steroid hormones called
corticosteroids.
Adrenal Hormones
 Abnormalities of Adrenal gland
Addison's Disease: Hyposecretion of cortisol.
The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle
weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure.

Cushing's Syndrome: It is a hormonal disorder

caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol.