You’ve heard of Parathyroid, but do you know of his evil brother:
Aldosterone the Alderman.

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You’ve heard of Parathyroid, but do you know of his evil brother:
Aldosterone the Alderman.
The Endocrine System physiology
Part 3
ACTH & Adrenocortical hormones.
ACTH :
Polypeptide hormone produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. ACTH regulates the levels of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
ACTH synthesis:
Preproopiomelanocortin -(cleaved)-> POMC -> (splits into many peptides one of them is ACTH)
ACTH release:
Pulsatile manner
Peaks in the morning.
ACTH role:
ACTH binds to its receptors and activates the release of cortico-steroid hormones:
Glucocorticoids : anti-inflammatory & metabolic effects
Mineralocarticoids: Electrolyte and water balance.
Adrenocortical Hormones:
Once ACTH binds to its receptors on the cells of the layers of the adrenal cortex it stimulates these cells to take cholesterol from the blood which is essential for adrenocortical hormones synthesis.
ACTH stimulates cholesterol desmolase enzyme inside these cells.
cholesterol desmolase converts:
Cholesterol -> pregnenolone
The adrenal cortex has 3 layers (as we mentioned in part 1)
Zona glomerulosa -> Aldosterone.
Zona fasciculata -> Cortisol
Zona reticularis -> Androgens.
The synthesis of Aldosterone: {image}
Aldosterone ⬆⬆ blood volume & ⬆⬆ blood pressure.
Pregnenolone --(3beta-HSD) → progesterone --(21beta-hydroxylase)
→ 11-DOC --(11 beta- hydroxylase)→ corticosterone -- (18 hydroxylase)
→ 18-hydroxy-corticosterone → ALDOSTERONE.
3beta-HSD= 3 Beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
11- DOC = 11- deoxycorticosterone
Aldosterone function:
Regulation of sodium concentration
⬆Blood volume → ⬆ blood pressure.
How?
Binds to receptors on the cells lining the distal tubule and collecting ducts → ⬆⬆ sodium/potassium pumps → ⬆⬆ sodium reabsorption into the blood → ⬆⬆ blood volume → ⬆⬆ blood pressure.
The synthesis of cortisol : {image }
1. Pregnenolone & progesterone -(17 alpha-hydroxylase)→
17 alpha- hydroxy-pregnenolone & 17 alpha-hydroxy -progesterone.
2. 17 alpha-hydroxy pregnenolone -(3beta-HSD) → 17 alpha-hydroxy -progesterone -(21beta-hydroxylase) → 11-Deoxycortisol → CORTISOL.
Cortisol function:
Cortisol is not stored but secreted once produced.
Pulsatile manner & peaks in the morning.
It is also secreted in stressful situations like - infections - caffeine - hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
Cortisol is anti-inflammatory hormone and it inhibites: prostaglandin & leukotrienes.
Cortisol effects on the body:
Cortisol ⬆⬆ blood glucose & blood pressure
Fat → activates lipolysis → breaking down of fat in adipose tissue.
Liver → activates gluconeogenesis & glycogenolysis
⬆⬆ insulin resistance → diabetogenic
Muscles → activates proteolysis
⬆⬆Blood pressure
⬇⬇ bone formation
Poor wound healing.
What is cortisone?
Some tissues can convert cortisol to cortisone by the enzyme 11 beta- hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase 2.
Cortisone has marginally reduced glucocorticoid activity compared to cortisol (80-90%), and thus, cortisone can be considered an active metabolite of cortisol.
Androgens : {image}
17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone → DHEA → Androstenediol → Testosterone.
DHEA → Androstenedione → Testosterone
17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone → Androstenedione → Testosterone.
Testosterone → Estrogen by the enzyme Aromatase.
Note:
The amount of testosterone secreted by the adrenal glands is very small compared to the one produced by the testes.
Part 1 { here}
Part 2 { here}
Excretion system also does the function of caring for the concentration of fluid in the body. The concentration control of body fluid is a cooperation of 3 organ systems, namely: the hormone system, blood circulatory system, and excretion system. Two types of hormones which play a role in the excretory system are the ADH and Aldosterone.
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The widely accepted guideline to reduce salt intake for heart health may be misguided. Sodium plays crucial roles in hormonal balance, kidney function, and even reproduction. Low salt diets can stress the body, while moderate intake appears beneficial.
(via Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) – Steps, Functions & Regulation)
The scientific Research Notes Of S. Sunkavally (years: 2002-2011).
3693-3699.