Adrenal hormones are very important for the normal functioning of the human body, since it is with their help that the processes of metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins are regulated, as well as the work of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. But before you figure out what hormones the adrenal glands produce, you need to familiarize yourself with their structure.
Adrenal Glands Summary
The adrenal glands are small, paired, yellowish glands that are located directly above the kidneys. Each such gland consists of two parts, which differ in their functions, morphological and physiological features.
On top is the so-called cortical substance, which, in turn, consists of three different balls: the glomerular zone is located outside, the bundle is next, and the mesh section is adjacent directly to the inner part of the adrenal glands - the brain ball.
The role of the adrenal glands is very important for the body. This fact has been experimentally proven. For example, when both glands were removed, the animal immediately died.
Adrenal cortex hormones
The cortical layer of these glands produces a number of steroid hormones called corticosteroids. The main substance for the synthesis of such hormones is cholesterol, which enters the body with food. The synthesis of these hormonal substances is carried out in the mitochondria of cells.
In the mesh and bundle zones of the adrenal glands, the so-called glucocorticoids are produced, while the glomerular ball is responsible for the formation of mineralocorticoids. In addition, a small amount of androgens, the sex hormones of the human body, are formed in the net zone.
Glucocorticoids are very important hormonal substances, the importance of which for the body is difficult to overestimate. For example, it is these hormones that regulate the activity of enzymes that control glucose metabolism. Artificial introduction of glucocorticoids into the body increases the amount of glycogen in the liver and increases the glucose content in the blood. Along with this, under the action of these hormones, protein synthesis is stopped. With severe violations and a decrease in these hormones, muscle atrophy is observed .
In addition, glucocorticoids are important for the functioning of the brain, since when they are deficient, a person loses the ability to distinguish smells and tastes. If the hormonal background is disturbed, the processing of information worsens.
The effect of glucocorticoids on the immune system is also proved, since with a decrease in their number an increase in the lymph nodes and thymus gland is observed.
Mineralocorticoids are adrenal hormones that are responsible for the water and salt balance in the human body. They control the processes of ion exchange, in particular potassium and sodium. In this way, the volumes of blood and fluid excreted by the kidneys are regulated. In addition, these adrenal hormones regulate the functioning of the heart muscle.
Androgens are the sex hormones of the adrenal glands, which only increase the effect of substances secreted by the sex glands. In addition, it is thanks to androgens that muscles grow and increase in volume. It is worth noting that in men the level of such hormonal substances is much higher. An increase in their level in a woman’s blood causes the development of secondary male sexual characteristics.
Adrenal medulla hormones
This part of the gland produces the so-called "stress hormones", combined under the name of catecholamines. These adrenal hormones are adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It is these substances that I begin to intensively secrete in the blood with strong feelings, nervous tension, joy, pleasure, fear, etc. Under their influence, the heartbeat, breathing are accelerated, blood pressure rises, metabolism is significantly accelerated, and in particular - the breakdown of glycogen to monomers. By the way, all the catecholamines produced by the human body, scientists have learned to synthesize in the external environment.