Decreased 17-hydroxy-corticoid and aldosterone excretion.Ģ. In humans, degeneration of the adrenal cortex due to tuberculous process or in diabetes and hypothyroidism causes Addison’s disease which shows the following signs:ġ. Estrogens and progesterones are produced in small amounts.Ībnormalities of Adrenocortical Function:Ī. If they are present in excessive amounts, they lead to masculinization in the female.Ģ. The adrenocorticosteroids cause retention of nitrogen (a protein anabolic effect), phosphorus, potassium, sodium and chloride. Aldosterone also increases the renal clearance of magnesium.ġ. They cause, on administration, increased extracellular fluid volume, increased circulating blood volume and urinary output.ģ. They increase the absorption of sodium and chloride by the renal tubules and decrease their absorption by the sweat glands, salivary glands, and the gastrointestinal tract.Ģ. They have effects on bone, exocrine secretion, cyclic AMP and stress.ġ. They have anti-inflammatory effects and also immunosuppressive effects.ĩ.

They are inactive on heart, brain and red cells.Ĩ. In the liver, they act on the fixation of CO 2 at the level of pyruvate carboxylase which is the key enzyme in gluconeogenesis.ħ. They increase the key enzymes in the regulation of gluconeogenesis (Pyruvate carboxylase, Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1 6-di-phosphatase and glucose-6- phosphatase).Ħ. Norepinephrine has less effect on cardiac output.ĥ.

It causes vasodilatation of the arterioles of the skin and mucous membranes. It increases the irritability and the rate and strength of contraction of cardiac muscle and increases cardiac output. Epinephrine is an effective stimulant of heart action. Epinephrine acts on adipose tissue and releases free fatty acids into the circulation.Ĩ. Epinephrine causes increased breakdown of muscle glycogen to lactic acid, thereby increasing blood lactate.Ħ. Norepinephrine is one-fifth potent in this respect.ĥ. cAMP stimulates phosphorylase which causes the breakdown of glycogen in the liver resulting in increased blood sugar. Epinephrine increases cAMP by activating adenylate cyclase. They are destroyed by oxidation when given orally.Ĥ. These hormones are effective on parenteral administration. In this sense, it mobilizes the terms “fight or flight” mechanism.Ģ. Epinephrine gives a rapid physiologic response to emergencies such as cold, fatigue, shock etc.

Adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla