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The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. MCB 135K April 7, 2006. Exocrine and Endocrine Secretions. Cells communicate with each other through three types of chemical messengers Neural Communication: neurotransmitter secreted at the synaptic junction
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The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis MCB 135K April 7, 2006
Exocrine and Endocrine Secretions • Cells communicate with each other through three types of chemical messengers • Neural Communication: neurotransmitter secreted at the synaptic junction • Endocrine Communication: hormones, secreted into the blood circulation, are carried to the target tissues throughout the body • Paracrine Communication: products of secretion enter the extracellular fluid to affect neighboring cells
Exocrine and Endocrine Secretions Continued • Exocrine secretions: the products of secretion are released into a body cavity as for example, the saliva into the mouth, the digestive enzymes into the intestinal cavities • Autocrine communication: cells secrete chemical messengers that in some situations bind to receptors on the original cells.
Historical Notes • Exocrine secretions were known by Hippocrates and ancient Romans • The endocrine secretions were first identified at the turn of the 20th century. The first to speak about internal secretions, that is, secretions released into the blood circulations, was the French physiologist CE Brown-Sequard (1817-1894).
Historical Notes Continued • Brown-Sequard suggested that the internal secretions -- using those of the testes as an example -- influence general metabolism, muscle strength, reproductive and brain function. • He also suggested that when the internal secretion products were diminished -- as with aging -- some of the functions they regulated were lost. • But, replacement therapy would restore the lost functions.
In 1905, the internally secreted substances were called “hormones” by the British physiologist E.H. Starling. The original ideas of Brown- Sequard gave rise to two different fields of physiology: Endocrinology Neuroendocrinology Biotechnology ?? Replacement therapy ??
Neuroendocrine Interelations Pituitary • The hypothalamus Secretes anterior and posteriorpituitary hormones Connection with cortex,thalamus, limbic system,reticular formation, etc. Secretes hypophyiotropic hormones
Hypophysiotropic hormones CRH: corticotropic releasing hormone GHRH: growth hormone releasing hormone GHIH: growth hormone inhibitory hormone Somatostatin PRH: prolactin releasing hormone GnRH: gonadotropin releasing hormone TRH thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone Pituitary Hormones ACTH: adrenocorticotropin hormone LH: lutenizing hormone FSH: follicle stimulating hormone PL: prolactin TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone GH: growth hormone **Please see Figures 10.7-10.9 in text** Figure 10.1
Figure 10.6 Reminder CRH: corticotropic releasing hormone ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone
posterior pituitary anterior pituitary adrenal gland kidney Glucocorticoids
Figure 10.3 Diagram of a section of the adrenals illustrating the various zones and hormones
Figure 10.5 Schematic diagram of corticosteroid action in target cell
Gene expression & new protein synthesis • Relatively long latency of onset • Medium & long term cell program • Organization of cell networks for complex functions • Activation/repression of pre-existing cell proteins • Rapid onset of action • Rapid adaptation to changes in the milieu • Dynamic modifications of long term cell programs
Table 10.1 Factors Influencing Evaluation of Endocrine Function in Aging Physiologic Metabolism Body Composition Nutrition Exercise Stress Inter-endocrine Relations Secretory Rate Transport to target site Hormone Metabolism Activity T4 T3 T DHT Number & Affinity Of Receptors
Changes with Aging in the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis No significant changes in healthy, non-stressed, elderly The few changes that occur are rapidly compensated for (e.g. decreased secretion of GCs from the adrenal cortex) but also less rapid metabolism in the liver & less urine excretion Therefore the circulating levels remain constant Also, normal ACTH & cortisol responses to CRH administration Some alterations of the circadian rhythm
Figure 10.4 Corticosterone titers in young (3-5 mo) and aged (24-28 mo) rats Old rats Young rats
STRESS Cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine
Figure 10.7 Diagrammatic representation of the anterior pituitary
Figure 10.8 Diagrammatic representation of the posterior pituitary
Exposure to Stress Generates: • Specific responses: vary with the stimulus (specialized responses) and generate different responses with each different stimulus. • Nonspecific responses: (also called non- specialized) are always the same • regardless of the stimulus • mediated through stimulation of neural, endocrine, and immune axis