CH3058354

Tyisha Charles
Pharmacology

Identify the 3 natural steroids that are secreted by the adrenal cortex.
The adrenal glands are paired endocrine organs situated on top of the kidneys. The adrenal gland
is divided into an inner medulla which produced epinephrine and norepinephrine, and an outer
cortex which produced steroid hormones. The cortex has three zones, the zona glomerulosa, zona
fasciculata, and zona reticularis.
The zona glomerulosa produces aldosterone, which acts on the kidneys to conserve salt and
water. The inner two zones of the adrenal cortexthe zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis
function as a physiological unit to produce cortisol and adrenal androgens (male hormones), with
dehydroepiandrosterone, a weak androgen, being the major product.
1. Glucocorticoids: Hydrocortisone (cortisol), Corticosterone

Glucosortocoids affect mainly metabolism in diverse ways, decrease inflammation and
increase resistance to stress. Glucocorticoids also reduce the function and action of the
immune system, making them useful for protecting against transplant rejection and
ameliorating autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Hydrocortisone has two primary actions: (1) stimulation of gluconeogenesisi.e., the
breakdown of protein and fat in muscle and their conversion to glucose in the liverand
(2) anti-inflammatory actions.

Hydrocortisone helps control the bodys use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Hydrocortisone is a potent metabolic regulatory hormone, increasing plasma glucose
level and promoting use of alternate metabolic substrates form energy. Cortisol stimulates
appetite and leads to removal of fat in some central adipose tissue despite the use of fat
from peripheral tissues. Metabolic changes in cortisol assist the transition to non-glucose
support of metabolism in starvation. Cortisol has significant anti-inflammatory effects,
retarding the development and enhancing the resolution of the inflammatory response.
Therefore glucocorticoids are used as inflammatory agents.

Corticosterone, together with hydrocortisone, supresses inflammatory reactions in the
body and also affects the immune system.






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2. Mineralocorticoids: Aldosterone

The mineralocorticoids get their name from their effect on mineral metabolism

Aldosterone regulates the level of sodium and potassium in the body and helps maintain
blood volume and blood pressure. Aldosterone is regulated by complex feedback
mechanisms involving sodium and potassium levels as well as blood volume to maintain
salt and water balance. The biological action of aldosterone is to increase the retention of
sodium and water and to increase the excretion of potassium by the kidneys (and to a
lesser extent by the skin and intestines). It acts by binding to and activating a receptor in
the cytoplasm of renal tubular cells. The activated receptor then stimulates the production
of ion channels in the renal tubular cells, thereby increasing sodium reabsorption into the
blood and increasing potassium excretion into the urine.

3. Androgens: testosterone, androsterone

Androgens originate in the adrenal cortex and gonads and primarily affect maturation and
function of secondary sex organs (male sexual determination). Androgens are hormones
that primarily influence the growth and development of the male reproductive system.
Androgens also are necessary for the formation of sperm cells and for the maintenance of
sexual interest and behaviour. The growth of pubic hair and of facial and chest hair and
the regression of scalp hair, or baldness, are influenced by androgens. During
adolescence, androgens lengthen and thicken the male vocal cords, causing voice
deepening; they also enhance bone growth and increase the number and thickness of
muscle fibres in the male body. Other growth patterns that androgens stimulate are
kidney weight and size, the increase of protein in bone tissue, the regeneration of red
blood cells (erythrocytes), the presence of pigments in the skin, and the increased activity
of sweat and sebaceous (oil-producing) glands.

Testosterone and androsterone give the male its sex characteristics during puberty and for
promoting tissue and muscle growth. In sexually-mature males, this source of
testosterone is so much lower than that of the testes that it is probably of little
physiological significance. However, excessive production of adrenal androgens can
cause premature puberty in young boys.

Bibliography
- Encyclopaedia Britannica (2013). Androgen. Retrieved November 8
th
, 2013, from
http://www.britannica.com
- The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System
(2013). The Adrenal Glands. Retrieves November 8
th
, 2013, from http:// www.hopkinsmedicine.org
- St. Edwards University (2013). Steroid Hormones. Retrieves November 8
th
, from,
http://www.cs.stedwards.edu
- RCN Telecom Services (2013). The Adrenal Cortex. Retrieved November 8
th
2013 from
http://www.users.rcn.com