The Adrenal Gland

and the Stress Response

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 The Adrenal Gland
and the Stress Response

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 Aims
■ To explore the role of the adrenal glands in
dealing with stress situations.
situations.

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 Objectives
■ Label a cross sectional diagram of the gross anatomy of the adrenal
gland
■ State the two catecholamine hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla

■ Describe the key physiological responses stimulated in the adrenal

medulla in the ‘fight or flight’ response

■ Describe generalized physiological responses in fight and flight

■ State the major glucocorticoid hormone

■ State the 3 major actions of glucocorticoid hormones

■ State the 2 classifications of the gonadocorticoids (sex hormones)

■ State the major mineralocorticoid hormone

■ Describe 2 major actions of the mineralocorticoid hormones

■ (The term ‘corticoid’ indicates ‘produced in the cortex’)

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 Endocrine glands
■ The endocrine glands secrete hormones (chemical regulators)
into the circulation
■ These glands are also referred to as ductless glands,
glands , and are
very vascular
■ Once in the circulation these hormones then travel to the
target cells
■ Target cells respond to the hormone by an alteration in their
metabolism
■ These cells have specific receptor sites to which the hormone
will attach
■ [Exocrine glands (e.g. salivary ) secrete substances into a duct.]

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 The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands produce many different hormones
relating to:
– blood sugar

– mineral transport and fluid balance

– combating stress

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 Anatomy of the adrenal glands
Adrenal glands lie in pairs above each
kidney (they are "supra-renal“)

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 Anatomy of the adrenal glands
Zona Glomerulosa

Zona Fasciculata

Zona Reticularis

Medulla

Capsule (connective tissue)

Zona Glomerulosa, Zona Fasciculata and Zona Reticularis are all
part of the adrenal cortex

The adrenal medulla (10%

(10% of gland) is completely surrounded by
the adrenal cortex (90%
( 90% of gland) but the two parts differ
both in structure and function
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 Anatomy of the adrenal gland

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 Anatomy of the adrenal glands
Zona Glomerulosa secretes ALDOSTERONE

Zona Fasciculata secretes CORTISOL and ANDROGENS

Zona Reticularis secretes CORTISOL and

ANDROGENS

Medulla

Capsule (connective tissue)

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 ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona Glomerulosa

■ ‘Grape-like’ clusters of cells that lie just under the

capsule

■ Releases mineralocorticoids (steroid hormones of the

adrenal cortex that regulate electrolyte imbalance)
imbalance)

■ Main mineralocorticoid = Aldosterone

■ Aldosterone release is regulated by the renin-

angiotensin-aldosterone system (see later in sessions
on BP, formation of urine, fluid and electrolytes)

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 ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona Glomerulosa
■ Aldosterone stimulates distal tubules of kidney to
pump sodium across basal membrane and thereby
attract water

■ In this way aldosterone helps us to conserve both

sodium and water

■ This raises extracellular fluid volume and hence blood

pressure (see later in session on BP)

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ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona Fasciculata
■ The cells are arranged in cords (long rows) separated by
capillaries
■ Cells secrete GLUCOCORTICOIDS
■ Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal
cortex [corticosteroids] that affect the metabolism of glucose,
protein and fat
■ Release of glucocorticoids is under the influence of
adrenocorticotropin [ACTH]
■ ACTH is a hormone from the anterior pituitary gland that
stimulates the adrenal cortex in response to illness, injury,
stress and ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ responses
■
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ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona Fasciculata
■ The main glucocorticoid in humans is CORTISOL which is
responsible for 95% of all glucocorticoid functions
■ Cortisol raises blood glucose levels, thereby providing a
source of energy for our responses to stress (in the flight or
fight reaction)
■ Cortisol is also anti-inflammatory (‘Hydrocortisone’)
■ (Cortex also produce corticosterone and cortisone – about 5%
of its production)

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 Main actions of CORTISOL

1. Gluconeogenesis (‘creation of
new glucose’)

2. Providing resistance to stress

3. Anti-inflammatory

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 CORTISOL:: Gluconeogenesis
CORTISOL
Gluconeogenesis is the creation of new glucose from non-
carbohydrate sources
i.e. the conversion of proteins and fat to glucose

Glucocorticoids also promote the storage of glucose as glycogen

and inhibit glucose utilization (particularly in peripheral
tissues)

Both of these actions are essential for the maintenance of

plasma glucose levels especially during period of prolonged
fasting and dieting

Glucocorticoids promote lipolysis (breakdown of fat) and the

consequent release of free fatty acids into the blood for
energy production
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CORTISOL:: Providing resistance to stress
CORTISOL

When exposed to stress (e.g. trauma,

hypoglycaemia, perceived life threatening
conditions )
anterior pituitary gland releases
adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
(ACTH)
adrenal cortex is stimulated to secrete
glucocorticoids
gluco corticoids
increase in available glucose
making the body and brain more alert and
provides the raw fuel for energy production.

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CORTISOL:: Providing resistance to stress
CORTISOL

CLINICAL POINT:
POINT:
If we are under constant stress we are continually
breaking down fat for glucose.
If we run away from the stressor we will use this
fat up but if we do not the fat remains in the
blood stream and can damage blood vessels,
narrowing them as fat deposits lodge under the
lining of the vessel walls.
This can in turn lead to the formation of clots, and
this, coupled with an already increased blood
coagulation can lead to potential for
cerebrovascular accident (CVA – ‘stroke’) or
heart disease
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 CORTISOL:: Anti-inflammatory actions
CORTISOL
Glucocorticoid hormones inhibit the body’s
inflammatory responses to infection, tissue
damage, and invasion by foreign particles and
proteins (‘anti’ inflammatory)

In this respect they serve to protect the body from

excessive inflammatory responses and the potential
for causing tissue damage

However this inhibitory effect does not occur when

normal levels of glucocorticoids are secreted during
everyday day situations and dealing with ‘positive
stressors’ – if it did then the inflammatory response
would never occur
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Negative feedback control of the adrenal cortex

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 ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona Reticularis
■ This is the zone right next to the medulla and is
seen as a branching network of smaller, dark cells

■ These cells produce a group of hormones known

as gonadocorticoids

■ They are regulated also by ACTH

■ Precursor androgens are turned into testosterone

in testes and oestrogen in ovaries

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The adrenal cortex produces steroids that regulate Na+ and K+ balance
(mineralocorticoids), steriods that regulate glucose balance (glucocorticoids)
and small amounts of steroid sex hormones (DHEA =
Dehydroepiandrosterone)

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