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THE ADRENAL
GLANDS
They lie at the superior poles of the two
kidneys. Each gland is composed of two
distinct parts:
1. Adrenal Cortex – 80%
2. Adrenal Medulla- 20%

CORTICOSTERIODS – group of hormones secreted by the
adrenal cortex. These are synthesized from the steroid
Cholesterol. The following are the ADRENOCORTICAL
HORMONES:
1. Mineralocorticoids – affect electrolytes of the ECF – Sodium

and Potassium
2. Glucocorticoids – Exhibit an important effect in increasing

blood glucose concentration
3. Androgenic hormones
ALDOSTERONE – principal mineralocorticoid

CORTISOL – principal glucocorticoid
LAYERS OF ADRENAL CORTEX AND SECRETION
1. Zona Glomerulosa
- constitutes about 15% of the adrenal cortex
- cells are the only ones secreting Aldosterone
- they contain enzyne aldosterone synthase

necessary for synthesis of aldosterone
- secretion is controlled by ECF conc. of

Angiotensin II and Potassium
2. Zona Fasciculata
- constitutes about 75% of the adrenal
cortex
- middle and widest layer
- secretes the glucocorticoids cortisol and
corticosterone and small amounts of
adrenal androgens and estrogens
- secretion is controlled by hypothalamic-
pituitary axis via adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)
3. Zona Reticularis
- secretes the adrenal androgen hydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA) and androstenedione and small
amounts of estrogen and some glucocorticoids
- secretion is regulated by ACTH and other factor

such as cortical androgen-stimulating
hormone from the pituitary
More Important Glucocorticoid
Hormones including Synthetic ones:
1. Mineralocorticoids
- Aldosterone (very potent, accounts for 90% of all

mineralocorticoid activity
- Desoxycorticosterone (1/30 as potent as aldosterone, but very
small quantities secreted
- Corticosterone (slight minralocorticoid activity)
- 9a-Fluococortisol (synthetic, slightly more potent than
aldosterone)
- Cortisol (very slight mineralocorticoid activity, but large
quantity secreted
- Cortisone (synthetic, slight mineralocorticoid activity)
2. Glucocorticoid
- Cortisol (very potent, accounts for about 95% of all
glucocorticoid activity
- Corticosterone (provides 4% of total
glucocorticoid) activity, much less potent than
cortisol)
- Cortisone (synthetic, almost as potent as cortisol)
- Prednisone (synthetic, four times as potent as cortisol)
- Methyprednisone (synthetic, five tmes as potent as
cortisol)
- Dexamethasone (synthetic, 30 times as potent as
cortisol)
The Intense Glucocorticoid
Activity of Dexamethasone, has
almost zero mineralocorticoid
activity, thus is important drug
for stimulating specific
glucocorticoid activity
FUNCTIONS OF MINERALOCORTICOID –
Aldosterone
1. Renal and Circulatory Effects of Aldosterone
a. Aldosterone Increases Renal Tubular Reabsorption
of Sodium and Secretion of Potassium –
especially in the principal cells of the collecting
tubules, and to lesser extent in the distal tubules
and collecting ducts
b. Excess Aldosterone Increases ECF Volume and
Arterial Pressure but Has Only a Small Effect
on Plasma Sodium Concentration
c. Excess Aldosterone Causes Hypokalemia and Muscle
Weakness; Too little Aldosterone Causes
Hyperkalemia and Cardiac Toxicity
Hypokalemia causes severe muscle
weakness caused by alteration of the
electrical excitability of the nerve and
muscle fiber membranes which
prevents transmission of normal
action potential
Deficient Aldosterone – results to

cardiac toxicity, including weakness of
heart contraction and development of
arrhythmia
C. Excess Aldosterone Increases Tubular Hydrogen Ion
Secretion with Resultant Mild Alkalosis
- secretion hydrogen ion in exchange for sodium

in the intercalated cells of the cortical collecting
tubules
2. Aldosterone Stimulates sodium and Potassium

Transport in Sweat Glands, Salivary Glands
and Intestinal Epithelial Cells
- same effects as it has on the renal tubules

Cellular Mechanism of Aldosterone Action
1. Aldosterone diffuses readily to the interior of the

tubular epithelial cells
2. In the cytoplasm of the tubular cells, aldosterone combines

with specific cytoplasmic receptor protein
3. Aldosterone-receptor complex diffuses into the nucleus,

inducing RNA to form messenger RNA
4. The mRNA diffuses back into the cytoplasm operating in

conjunction with the ribosomes causes protein
formation
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1. Adrenal Cortex – 80%

2. Adrenal Medulla- 20%

1. Mineralocorticoids – affect electrolytes of the ECF – Sodium

2. Glucocorticoids – Exhibit an important effect in increasing

ALDOSTERONE – principal mineralocorticoid

- cells are the only ones secreting Aldosterone

- they contain enzyne aldosterone synthase

- secretion is controlled by ECF conc. of

- secretion is regulated by ACTH and other factor

- Aldosterone (very potent, accounts for 90% of all

Deficient Aldosterone – results to

- secretion hydrogen ion in exchange for sodium

2. Aldosterone Stimulates sodium and Potassium

- same effects as it has on the renal tubules

1. Aldosterone diffuses readily to the interior of the

2. In the cytoplasm of the tubular cells, aldosterone combines

3. Aldosterone-receptor complex diffuses into the nucleus,

4. The mRNA diffuses back into the cytoplasm operating in

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