What is adrenaline? It is the main hormone in the brain that is produced by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline also acts as a neurotransmitter. However, the chemical structure of this substance is still referred to catecholamines. Adrenaline can be easily found in the organs and tissues of our body. At the moment, there is not only natural hormone, but also a synthetic drug, which is often used in medicine.
What is adrenaline?
This substance is important for humans, especially in stressful situations. After all, this hormone allows you to make a decision in a matter of seconds: to run or to fight back. Adrenaline begins to act in cases where a person experiences anxiety, fear or danger. In large quantities, the hormone can be produced by various injuries and burns. If a person is in a state of shock, then adrenaline helps him cope with emotions.
How does it work
To understand what adrenaline is, you need to understand how a substance affects the body. The effect of this hormone is similar to the processes that result in the activation of nerve sympathetic fibers. In this case, an effect on a- and b-adrenergic receptors occurs.
As a result of the production of adrenaline in the human body, narrowing of the vessels located in the skin, in the abdominal cavity and in the mucous membranes is noted. But that is not all. Vessels located in the brain, on the contrary, expand. After this, an increase in blood pressure is noted. The heart thus begins to beat faster. In some cases, there is a threat of arrhythmia, and due to the inhibitory effect of the vagus nerve, there is a risk of developing reflex bradycardia.
Phases of the effect of adrenaline on blood pressure
There are 4 main phases of the effect of the hormone on blood pressure. Among them are:
- Heartfelt. In this case, b 1 -adrenoreceptors are excited. As a result of this, there is an increase in cardiac output, as well as an increase in systolic blood pressure.
- Vagus. This phase is based on the activation of the vagus nerve base. It is characterized, as a rule, by high blood pressure.
- Vascular pressor. This phase is associated with the excitation of a 1- and a 2- adrenergic receptors. Inhibition of the vagal phase by peripheral vasopressor processes is noted here. In this case, blood pressure rises again.
- Depressor vascular. At this stage, the activity of b2-adrenergic receptors increases. Because of this, a decrease in blood pressure occurs.
Adrenaline: hormone description
Human adrenaline is different from a synthetic drug. However, their effect on the body is the same. Smooth muscles react differently to adrenaline. After all, they have completely different adrenoreceptors. For example, relaxation of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and intestines occurs with stimulation of b 2 -adrenoreceptors, and pupil expansion with stimulation of a 1 -adrenoreceptors.
The effects of adrenaline on the human body also depend on many factors. Do not forget that this is a catabolic hormone. Adrenaline is able to affect all types of material metabolism. This hormone raises blood glucose levels. In addition, the substance is able to enhance tissue metabolism.
So what is adrenaline? Experts attribute it also to contrainsular. Adrenaline is able to enhance gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. As a result of this, there is a slowdown in all glycogen production processes in both the liver and skeletal muscles. At the same time, glucose uptake and destruction are enhanced. Because of this, glycolytic enzymes are activated.
It is worth noting that the hormone adrenaline, the role and functions of which have long been studied, reduces the synthesis of fats and contributes to their breakdown. If the concentration of this substance is very high, then protein catabolism is also enhanced in the human body.
Harmful effects
The hormone positively affects the performance of skeletal muscles. This property of the substance is relevant for fatigue. However, when exposed to adrenaline on the tissue for a long time, some changes are noted. First of all, skeletal muscles and myocardium increase . This is a kind of adaptation to constant stress and great physical exertion.
In addition, protein catabolism is enhanced, muscle mass and strength are reduced. As a result of prolonged exposure, a person can lose weight dramatically. A similar phenomenon occurs with distress. The substance affects the central nervous system. As a result, there is an opportunity to increase the time of wakefulness, psychological energy and activity. All this is done by mobilizing all the forces of the body.
Positive sides
Scientists have proved that the hormone is useful. Indeed, adrenaline is often used in medical practice. What does it mean useful? The hormone has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. This substance represents a barrier to the release of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, kinin, histamine, serotonin and other pathogens. In addition, adrenaline is able to improve blood coagulation, increase the number and functionality of platelets.
Do not forget that this hormone is constantly present in the human body. However, under stresses, its amount increases sharply, and all metabolic processes are rearranged. At the same time, a person is able to feel a strong emotional outburst. Some want to feel it again and again. It is for this reason that people begin to engage in extreme sports. These are peculiar hostages of adrenaline.
Medical use
The hormone adrenaline, as defined above, is often used in medicine. Here it is used as a hyperglycemic, antiallergic, bronchodilator, vasoconstrictor, hypertensive agent. In addition, the substance is used for asystole, bleeding from the surface vessels of the skin and mucous membranes, open-angle glaucoma. Adrenaline is able to alleviate the condition of the patient.
It is worth noting that the therapeutic effect of the hormone manifests itself almost immediately after it is administered intravenously. In other cases, you need to wait a bit. If the drug is administered subcutaneously, the effect will come after 10 minutes, if intramuscularly - after 20 minutes.
Adrenaline is also used in anesthesia. In this case, the hormone narrows the vessels of the mucous membranes and skin, slows down the blood flow. This is necessary in order to reduce the rate of absorption of anesthetics. And this, as a rule, allows you to increase the duration of their exposure.