Hormones and Steroids

1. Hormones and Steroids L. Scheffler Lincoln High School 1

2. The Endocrine System The endocrine glands are ductless. That is they secrete hormones directly into the blood stream. Hormones elicit responses in cells that have the appropriate receptors. These cells are known as target cells Male Female 2

3. Hormones Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands and transported to various active sites in the body. Hormones are primarily chemical messengers which control a variety of functions in the body. 3

4. The endocrine glands are controlled by the pituitary gland which found at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is in turn controlled by the hypothalamus. Endocrine Glands 4

5. Thyroxine • Produced in the Thyroid. • Contains iodine. • Regulates metabolism. • Hypothyroidism results in lethargy, sensitivity to cold and dry skin. • Hyperthyroidism results in anxiety, weight loss, intolerance to heat and protruding eyes. Hyperthyroidism often results in an enlarged thyroid 5

6. Adrenalin • Produced by the Adrenal glands • Stimulant closely related to amphetamine • Released at times of excitement • Results in: • Dilation of pupils and airways • Increased heartbeat • Release of sugar in blood stream • Fight or flight response 6

7. Adrenalin Adrenalin is synthesized in the body from tyrosine. 7

8. Insulin • Protein– 51 amino acids • Formed in pancreas • Regulates blood sugar levels • Diabetes-Hypoglycemia results in thirst, weight loss, lethargy, circulation problems and coma in severe cases. • Hyperglycemia results from too much insulin.—leads to dizziness and fainting 8

9. Steroids Steroids have a characteristic structure with four rings: They differ in terms of the side chains on the steroid skeleton Steroid structure 9

10. Cholesterol • Cholesterol is the basic building block for all other steroids. • Cholesterol is formed in the liver and found in all tissues, the blood, brain, and spinal cord. 10

11. Cholesterol • Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. • It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high levels of blood cholesterol. 11

12. Cholesterol (LDL vHDL) • HDL (High Density Lipoproteins or good CholesterolAbout one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease • LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins or Bad Cholesterol)When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain forming plaque. Plaque can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible.  If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result. 12

13. Cholesterol and Triglycerides • Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more). • Triglycerides are a form of fat made in the body. • People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (bad) level and a low HDL (good) level 13

14. Male Female Sex Hormones 14

15. Sex Hormones • There are only slight differences between the male and female sex hormones. Yet these differences are enough to allow for significant changes in the secondary sex characteristics. • Both sexes have both sets of hormones • Deficiencies in the sex hormones result in changes in external sex characteristics such as facial hair and genital size. • Differences in female hormone levels control the female menstrual cycle. 15

16. Female Hormones and Birth Control • Oral contraceptives (the pill) combine synthetic progesterone and estrogen. • These two hormones act to stop the release of LHRH by the hypothalamus and FSH and LH by the pituitary. • This results in the ovaries not being stimulated and ovulation stops • In effect, the female reproductive system is fooled because the drug mimics the action of progesterone in a pregnant woman 16

17. Oral Contraception and Synthetic Hormones • Progesterone is quite expensive and breaks down rapidly in the liver. • Progesterone-like synthetic chemicals such as norethynodrel and norethindrone are now commonly used in birth control pills. • They are combined with an estradiol-like compound to prevent irregular menstrual flow. • The molecular framework of the synthetic chemicals in synthetic pills is similar to progesterone. • The –COCH3 group on the D ring is replaced by the –OH and –C=CH on C17. • These changes cause the synthetic steroids to tightly bind with the receptor sites, preventing rapid breakdown by the liver. • This allows the pill to be administered orally. 17

18. Oral Contraceptives • The molecular framework of the synthetic chemicals in synthetic pills is similar to progesterone. • The –COCH3 group on the D ring is replaced by the –OH and –C=CH on C17. • These changes cause the synthetic steroids to tightly bind with the receptor sites, preventing rapid breakdown by the liver. • This allows the pill to be administered orally. 18

19. Anabolic Steroids • Anabolic Steroids are similar to testosterone. • Like testosterone they promote increased muscle mass and growth. • Anabolic steroids may be helpful for patients suffering from long, debilitating illnesses. • Testosterone-like steroids cause minimal side effects and can be used to stimulate muscle growth, increase muscle mass, and help such patients recover their body weight. • Prolonged use can have serious side effects. 19

20. Anabolic Steroids Several steroids that resemble testosterone have been synthesized including: • Norethandrolone • Oxymetholone • Methyltestosterone 20

21. Abuse of Anabolic Steroids • Many athletes have found that they can enhance their performance by using anabolic steroids. • Testosterone is more prevalent in men and is principally responsible for muscle build-up. • Women who use anabolic steroids have much to gain because, initially, there is only a low concentration of testosterone present in their bodies. 21

22. Abuse of Anabolic Steroids • Taking large doses of anabolic steroids causes harmful side effects. • In men: impotence, baldness, problems in urinating, smaller testes, • In women: changes in secondary sex characteristics, build up of muscles and increased facial hair, • Both men and women also experience • violent temper, • increased aggressive behavior as well as • diseases such as liver tumors, high blood pressure and heart attacks. • Anabolic steroids are strictly forbidden at international athletic competitions. 22

23. Human Growth Hormone (hGH) • Stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration • Causes increased height (growth spurt) in children • Causes increased muscle mass, protein synthesis, organ growth, breaking down of fat for energy (lipolysis), stimulates immune system http://hypericum.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/hgh2.jpg

24. Human Growth Hormone (hGH) • An anabolic agent similar to anabolic steroids and testosterone • Doping with hGH forbidden in professional athletics • Recent studies have shown excessive hGH in male athletes decreases stamina and hinders athletic performance • hHG may only increase water weight stored in muscles without truly increasing muscle protein synthesis

25. Human Growth Hormone (hGH) • hGH has been used to treat conditions that stunt growth, decrease body fat or regenerate wasted muscle (Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, muscle wasting from AIDS) • Also used to treat hGH deficiency • Beneficial effects of hGH in individuals with the above conditions are greater than its effects in healthy humans. • Side effects of treatment include hypertension, joint and muscle pain, immune rejection of foreign hGH