Cortisol

Question 1

Cortisol?

Answer 1

Source:

• Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex

Question 2

Function?

Answer 2

Function:

• Cortisol has numerous actions and is essential for life
• Increases blood pressure: permits normal response to angiotensin II and catecholamines byup-regulating alpha-1 receptors on arterioles
• Inhibits bone formation: decreases osteoblasts, decreases type 1 collagen,
• decreases absorption of calcium from the gut, increases osteoclastic activity
• Increases insulin resistance
• Metabolism: increases gluconeogenesis, lipolysis and proteolysis
• Inhibits inflammatory and immune responses
• Maintains function of skeletal and cardiac muscle

Question 3

Regulation?

Answer 3

Regulation:

Increases secretion:

• ACTH from the pitutary gland, itself stimulated by corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) released by the hypothalamus
• stress
• Cushing’s syndrome results from an excess of corticosteroids in the body