Zona Glomerulosa
Adrenal Cortex
-make mineralcorticoids (aldosterone)
15%
Zona Fasciculata
Adrenal Cortex
75%
Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)
some androgens, estrogen
Zona Reticularis
Adrenal Cortex 10% Androgens Estrogens some cortisol
Adrenal Medulla
Catecholamines
Epi/Norepi
(Adrenaline and noradrenaline)
Function of Mineralocorticoids
(aldosterone)
-increase Na adsorption and K secretion to maintain body fluid volume
Function of Glucocorticoids
(cortisol)
Catecholamines
(epinephrine & norepinephrin)
-rapid response to stress: fuel availability (glucose, fatty acids) to increase CV function and performance (heart, lung, muscle)
Adrenal Sex Hormones
-growth developmental control in men and women
The transport of adrenocortical hormones in blood
Globulins
Albumin
-low affinity reversible binding
Cortisol
~90% bound to transcortin (majority) and albumin (less)
Aldosterone
~60% is bound to transcortin, aldosterone-binding globulin and albumin
Purposes of hormone protein-binding?
1) suppresses biological activity of steroid hormones (inactive pool)
2) protect hormone from structural alterations
3) to extend the life-time of hormones in the plasma
4) provide active hormone to target tissue rapidly when needed
Cholesterol
-source for synthesis of all steroid hormones
LDL
-main provider of cholesterol
~80% cholesterol for steroid synthesis
~20% cholesterol is synthesized in adrenal gland
Transport of Cholesterol to Adrenal Cells
Cholesterol Storage
-esterified and stored in cytoplasmic vesicles until it is needed for synthesis of corticosteroid hormones
Adrenal Corticosteroid Synthesis
-mitochondrial rate limiting step: cholesterol to pregnenolone
Enzyme is CYP11A1 (P450) (cholesterol desmolase)
Neuroendocrine control of steroidogenesis
Mineralocortiocoids
-Aldosterone (most potent) ~90% of all activity
-Deoxycorticosterone (DOC, aldosterone precursor)
1/30 aldosterone potency
-9alpha-Fluorocortisol: synthetic potent aldosterone analogue, slightly more than aldosterone
Key Enzymes in Mineralocorticoid Biosynthesis
-CYP11A1 (cholesterol desmolatse) upregulated by ACTH
-Aldosterone Synthase (upreg by ACTH)
corticosterone to aldosterone (final step of synthesis)
Organs that have Mineralocorticoid Receptors
target organs for aldosterone
Specific ligand of MR - Aldosterone
- low blood level