Cortisol

Question 1

What is Cortisol?

Answer 1

• Glucocorticoid steroid hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex
• Commonly released in response to stress
• Stress = a real or perceived threat to homeostasis ->
  stimulates changes to take place to restore homeostasis

Question 2

What other hormones are commonly release during periods of stress? From where?

Answer 2

epinephrine and noraepinephrine -
adrenal medulla

Question 3

explain

Question 4

What is Cortisol’s Role in Acute Stress?

Answer 4

Metabolism

• Protein catabolism in bone, lymph, muscle etc.
• Liver uptake of amino acids and conversion to glucose (gluconeogenesis)
• Maintenance of plasma [glucose]
• Triglyceride catabolism in adipose tissue and release of free fatty acids

Question 5

Cortisol’s Role in Acute Stress

What is the evolutionary mechanism for the catabolic effects of cortisol?

Answer 5

breakdown to produce energy during perceived stress

Question 6

Cortisol’s Role in Acute Stress

What is Vasculature?

Answer 6

• Enhanced vascular reactivity and ability to maintain vasoconstriction in response to norepinephrine
• Allows for redirection of blood flow to target tissues

Question 7

Cortisol’s Role in Acute Stress

What are cortisol’s effect on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Immune Effects?

Answer 7

Synthetic analogs are used as a pharmacological in inflammatory syndromes like (i.e., arthritis and allergies)

Release of cortisol by stimulation from cytokines works as a negative feedback mechanism to prevent excess inflammation and the damage caused by it

Question 8

What is Cortisol’s Role in Chronic Stress?

Answer 8

• Acute effects are adaptive but chronic can be harmful
• Harmful dampening of the immune response
• Decreased reproductive fertility, delayed puberty and
  suppressed growth during childhood and adole

Question 9

What are Cortisol’s Role in the Absence of Stress?

Answer 9

• Improved response of smooth muscle to epi and NE and ability to maintain blood pressure
• Maintains [cellular] of enzymes important for glucose production in the liver – preventing dangerously low blood sugar between meals

Question 10

What are Cortisol’s Role in the Absence of Stress?

Answer 10

• Cortisol has many complex anti-immune and anti-inflammatory effects
• Inhibits production and growth of cells involved in inflammation
• Decreases capillary permeability in damaged areas reducing fluid leakage into the
  interstitium
• Can prevent “overreaction” to minor infections

Question 11

What are Other Hormonal Effects During Stress?

Answer 11

• Increased vasopressin and aldosterone
• Increase water and Na+ retention, preventing water loss by potential
  dangers like dehydration, hemorrhage and sweating
• Increased growth hormone and glucagon, decreased insulin
• Mobilizes energy stores and increases plasma concentration of glucose
• Stimulation of sympathetic nervous system