Introduction to endocrinology, hormones and

their classification
Lecture NO : 2nd MBBS

Dr UZUEGBU U.E
 Endocrinology – the study of endocrines

• It is the science which deals with endocrine glands, their

secretions and related disorders – Neuro endocrinology
• Endocrine glands: are the ones that deliver their secretions
directly into the blood circulation
• The secretions of these glands are called hormones like:
• Thyroid glands : Thyroxin, Para thyroids ,Para thormone
and Pancreatic Islets : Insulin
 Hormones – the definition
Produced by living cells

• Hormones are the chemical substances that are produced in one

part of the body (Effecter cells) 1

• Enter the blood circulation directly and 2

• Act on the target organs located at a distance from the site of

their synthesis (Affecter Cells) and 3

• Modify their functions 4

• 50 hormones for 75 trillion cells of the body
 Target tissues - Sites for the action of hormone
Receptors and hormone binding

• They are specific tissues with specific receptors for binding

of the hormones to initiate their actions 1
• Whether or not biochemical/physiological effect has yet
been determined 2
• (Presence and binding of hormone to receptor is essential)
• Like TSH for Thyroid cells and Insulin for all body cells
 Factors regulating hormone action

• 1. Rate of synthesis and secretion; The hormone is

stored in the endocrine gland.
• 2. In some cases specific transport systems in the
plasma
• 3. Hormone-specific receptors in target cell
membranes which differ from tissue to tissue
• 4. Ultimate deregulation of the hormone usually by
the liver or kidney.
Target organs – Tissues with specific receptors
no receptors - not a target organ
 Receptors – the definition
Proteins on or inside the cells

• They are the molecular structures/proteins or the sites

located on the Membranes or interior of the cell 1
• Can bind with substances such as hormones; antigens or
drugs or neurotransmitters and 2
• Bring a physiological or biochemical change in the cell 3
• www.biology – on line.org – www.medical dictionary.com
Receptors - the molecular structures
usually 3 parts
 Major differences B/W hormones and enzymes

Parameters Hormones Enzymes

Chemical nature May be protein, Amino acid or Always proteins except
Steroids Ribozyme and CK
Delivery to blood circulation Delivered first to the Not so
circulation prior to use
Site of synthesis and action Is Different Is the Same

As chemical messenger B/W As catalyst to enhance

Role the cells /tissues or organs rate of reaction
Regulation Negative feedback mechanism Factors; pH; temperature conc.
and CNS of enzyme and substrate and
inhibitors
Primary action Is on the target tissues through Is on the specific substrates for
receptors to express catalysis
instructions
 Major endocrine Glands in human

• Pituitary gland : Anterior and posterior

• Thyroid and : Parathyroid glands
• Adrenal glands : Adrenal medulla and cortex
• Pancreas and
• Gonads : Ovaries and Testes
 Endocrine glands - the minor ones

• Pineal body - Melatonin with biological clock

• Thymus gland - Thymosins – produce antibodies
• - Differentiates Lymphocytes- T and B
• Juxtra Cells of Kidney - Erythropoietin
• GIT + associated glands - Gastrin and Cholicystokinin
• Placenta - Human Gonadotropins (FSH+ LH)

- Estrogen and Progesterone

Juxtra Glomerular apparatus - Erythropoietin
 Hormones – the properties

• They act as chemical messengers, are required in small amounts

• They are secreted in blood prior to their use
• Site of synthesis and action is different except Autocrines
• Are not used up in reaction,
• Their activity can be monitored by their blood levels
• These can be proteins, Amino acids or steroids
 Classification of hormones - 3 classes
the basis

• Hormones are classified on the basis of their:

• Site of action
• Chemical nature and
• Mechanism of action
 Classification of hormones on the basis of
site of action

• Endocrine system is diverse/ complex and the site of action

of the hormones is variable
• It depends upon their synthesis; release, transport in the
circulation and metabolism as well as their :
• Delivery to the surface or interior of the target cells
 Site of action of hormones
the names - 4

• Hormones are named on the basis of their site of action

• Endocrines and Paracrines
• Juxtracrines and Autocrines
• Paracrines and Juxtracrines are called Local hormones
• All types of hormones do not enter the circulation except
endocrines -
• www.mol-biol4masters.org
Classification of hormones
 Site of action of Hormone – Endocrine
site of synthesis and action is different

• These hormones are synthesized in one part of the

body tissues/organs (effectors cells) 1

• Delivered directly to the circulation and : 2

• Act on target organs located at a distance
• From the site of synthesis (affecter cells) 3
• Like Insulin, Thyroxin
Endocrines – Site of synthesis and action is different
 Paracrines - Act locally via ECF
do not enter blood

• Act locally on the cells other than those that produce them
• Diffuse into the ECF from their site of synthesis and bind
with the receptors of the neighboring cells to :
• initiate their action like :
• Angiotensin 11 ; Eicosanoids, Sex steroids of the ovary
(acts on Garrafian Follicles)
Paracrines – moves via ECF
act locally
 Juxtracrines – Are not delivered to ECF/blood
act on adjacent cell receptors

• A hormone in the membrane of one cell interacts with the

receptors of the adjacent cells to produce action
• These include neurotransmitters like Acetyl Choline, nor
epinephrine and heparin
• Acetyl Choline is released into the synaptic cleft, binds
• with the receptors on the adjacent muscle membrane to:
• : produce muscle depolarization and contraction
Juxtracrines – the neurotransmitters
the synapse
 Autocrines: site of production and action is the same

• The hormone released by the cell acts on the receptors

located on the same cell ( malignant cells)
• These includes Oncogenic products released by the
cancer cells
• Acts on the same cell to stimulate cell division and
promote the growth of cancer cells
Autocrine hormones– Two in one
site of production and action is same
 Chemical nature of hormones
3 classes

• Hormones are classified according to their chemistry by LI.

• Protein or peptide hormones
• Amino acid hormones
• Steroid hormones
 Protein/peptide hormones
Produced in RER- the Ribosome

• These hormones are either proteins or peptides

• These may be synthesized in the RER as precursors or
Prohormone like Insulin, processed in Golgi
• Are stored as secretary granules in the cytoplasm and
released when required – Like :
• Pre pro insulin - Pro Insulin = Insulin
Protein / Peptide hormones
 Protein/peptide hormones

• Followings are the protein hormones

• Hormones of Pituitary gland (Anterior and Posterior)
• Thyroid Hormones - Calcitonin
• Parathyroid hormones – Para thormone
• pancreatic hormones - Insulin and Glucagon
• Peptide hormones: ADH and Oxytocin (9AAs) Calcitonin (29AAs)
 Amino acid hormones
TH and adrenal Medullary ones

• Tyrosine is an amino acid and is the immediate precursor of

a number of hormones like :
• Thyroid hormones (TH) : T3 and T4 (thyroxin)
• Adrenal Modularly hormones : Epinephrine, Nor – epinephrine
• Tryptophan is an amino acid and precursor of Melatonin via
Serotonin – Hypothalamic Pineal gland
 Steroid hormones
Adrenal cortical and Gonadal hormones

• These are the hormones with steroid nucleus from CH

• Adrenal cortex : Glucocorticods - Cortisole
• Mineral corticoids : Adosterone
• Reproductive Hormones:
• Male : Androgens - Testosterone
• Female :Oestrogen Progesterone
 Recommended books for endo.

Recommended books for Biochemistry/Endocrinology

•Lippincott’s’’ Illustrated Reviews Biochemistry
•Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry
•Path physiology of Endocrinology system Colorado State
University
•Basic and Clinical Endocrinology – Francis Greenspan – David
G.Gardner
• Text book of Medical biochemistry – MN Chatterjea