Adrenal Cortex: The Disclosure

Posted by Kevz , Labels: , Tuesday, May 25, 2010 3:22 AM

The Adrenal Cortex

When I was a kid, I always have fun of watching movies that simple people tend to exhibit a phenomenon in which they themselves are able to carry objects that are four times heavier than them! This uncertain phenomenon is commonly called as the " adrenaline rush". This was made possible by the hormones that were produced via the adrenal gland.

Sections of the Adrenal Gland




The adrenal gland, also called as suprarenal glands because of its location above the kidneys, is a gland responsible for the production of hormones that contributes to the proper balance of the blood volume, as well as the pumping activity of the heart. Mainly it is subdivided to two regions which is the adrenal cortex, the outer portion and the adrenal medulla, the inner portion.

As to our case, our main focus is the outer portion of the adrenal gland, which is the adrenal cortex wherein the essential hormones are produced. According to morphology, the adrenal cortex is can also further subdivided into three zones and each individual section has its own specific hormone that it release or produce.

Three sections

1. Zona glomerulosa - this is the part wherein cell are intacted and these cells is the responsible for the production of mineralocorticoid.

2. Zona fasculita - the center portion in which glucocoticoids are produced
3. Zona reticularis - the section wherein the production for steroid hormones takes place, particularly for men.

Hormones

1. Mineralocorticoids

These hormones are the once that greatly influence the salt and water content of the blood inside our system. Aldosterone is the one which is the abundant of all these mineralocorticoid.
Now let's discussed the mechanism that govern this action in a manner that it is produced and its effect.

Mechanism of Aldosterone Production and its Function.

- In a condition wherein a person is suffering of dehydration or salt loss, a person will tend to decrease in blood volume and also simultaneous down of the blood pressure.

- This condition, triggers the juxtaglomerular cells in the kidneys to produce renin in the blood, which is an enzyme.

- Second, this enzyme as it travels in the blood will meet its partner which is the angiotensinogen and thereby produced the angiotensin I.

- Then, the angiotensin will travel in the blood and finds its mate which angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) specifically in the capillaries in the lungs, and converting it to angiotensin II.

- Accumalation of the angiotensin II in the blood, triggers the adrenal cortex to produce the aldosterone

- Aldosterone takes the responsibility of retention of more sodium ion and water in the kidneys.

- Thereby, less water and sodium ions are being excreted in the urine.

- Thus , blood volume now becomes to increase and the same as the blood pressure to its normal.


For better understanding of the concept, a link is given below:
" Pathway" by: captainsmitty121


2. Glucocorticoids

These hormones are contributors in metabolism and at the same time, reduces the stress.
Cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone are three forms of glucocorticoids. Among these three, cortisol is considered to be the most abundant considering a percentage of 95% in the glucocorticoid activity.


Mechanism of Glucocorticoid Production

- In a condition wherein there is low level of glucocorticoids in the blood, the hypothalamus is stimulated to produce corticotropin releasing hormone

- Then, CRH compels the anterior pituitary gland to produce the adrenocorticotropic hormone.

- Finally, ACTH will go to the adrenal cortex promoting the production of the glucocorticoids.

Some Functions of Glucocorticoids
- Glucogenesis
- Gluconeogenesis
- Weakening of the immune response
- Anaerobic supply of energy


For better understanding of the functions of the glucocorticoids a link is given below:





3. Androgens

Basically, androgens are steroid hormones that enhance masculine characteristics of a person. Androgens are secreted minimally form the adrenal cortex. A good example of this, is the bulking of the muscles especially for men.


References:

Books
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 11th Edition by Tortora, Gerard and Derrickson, Bryan

Internet

1 comments

Endocrinology, Toxicology, and Drug Testing

Posted by Kevz , , Wednesday, May 12, 2010 8:02 AM

Endocrinology

When I've first heard of the word endocrinology, the first thing that pops out of my mind are hormones.

Thereby, we can briefly define that endocrinology is one of the field of clinical chemistry wherein the types, characteristic, and functions of hormones are studied, analyzed, and interpreted to be used for clinical application or intervention.

First, Lets talk about hormones. Basically, hormones are chemicals that are released by an endocrine gland or organ such as the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the blood that will travel to its target cell and binds to its receptor and thereby accomplishing its function in it.

According to Bidy Kulkarni They are currently divided in three types which are protein hormones, aromatic amines, and the steroid hormones.

Growth, metabolism, and reproduction are some of the job of that hormones facilitate. They can be up-regulated or down-regulated depending on the need of the body.

Like in the blood, homeostasis in the production of hormones is also a big factor among them and it is a must to be.

For better understanding, a presentation was linked below for you.



Toxicology

Mainly, a person is said to be poisoned or toxicated when he has ingested a poisonous substance like chemicals, or hazardous elements. But as we tackle the concept of toxicology, our minds will be more broaden as we discuss the toxicity of this matter.

Parcelsus is the one who started the field of toxicology in the sixteenth century and also credited as "The Father of Toxicology.

According to Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, Correlation by Lawrence A. Kaplan and Amadeo Pesce, toxicology is concerned with the physical and chemical properties of posion, their physiologcial and behavioral effects on living organism, and treatment.



photo by:Dutchy131

Toxicology is broad practice wherein it was divided now to three subfields, which is industrial toxicology, clinical toxicology, and forensic toxicology.

Just as Parcelsus said that all things are toxic, we can now refer that there are levels of toxicity that a person might encounter upon ingesting a particular toxic substance.

Toxicity are depend to certain factors such as time, amount or concentration, route of administration. These factors may give us information what will be the further condition of a person will be experiencing and how long it also may take.


Drug Testing

Nowadays, drug testing is done rumphantly in the world everywhere for many kinds of purpose. Some are used in licensure, in athletics, and others for crime investigations.

Drug testing is the examination of certain body fluids that may contain a specific metabolite that is pursued to be specifically obtained.

Example of this drugs are barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, and etc. These drugs are tested for their specific metabolites, which has also specific time wherein they will be currently present in the fluid to being analyzed.
There are a lots of procedure in performing the drug testing. It can be done using urine, saliva, blood and even sweat.



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