Adrenocorticosteroids - SCU：.ppt

Adrenocorticosteroids and adrenocortical antagonists Department of pharmacology Liming zhou 2010,spring ·???????Introduction ??Natural adrenocortical hormones ---steroid molecules synthesized in released by the adrenal cortex Clinical Uses: 1.??? diagnosis of adrenal function 2.??? treatment of adrenal function disorders 3.??? treatment of inflammatory/immunological disorders (at higher doses) physiology Zona glomerulosa(outermost region) 15% of adrenal cortex --produces mineralocorticoids,which are responsible for regulating salt and water meabolism Major mineralocorticoid: aldosterone physiology Zona fasiculata(middle region) 78% of adrenal cortex --produces glucocrticoids,which are concerned with normal metablism and resistance stress. Major glucocorticoid: cortisol physiology  Zona reticularis (innermost region ) 7% of adrenal cortex --produces adrenal androgens Major androgen: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Corticosteroids including: -- mineralocorticoid -- glucocrticoids -- androgens physiology physiology The hypothalamus releases a hormone called corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH). The CRH then travels directly to the pituitary gland where they cause the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). physiology ACTH is released into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, ACTH travels to the adrenal cortex where it effects the release of corticosteroids. physiology However, as well as these excitatory processes, there are also inhibitory influences within the HPA. These inhibitory influences act on CRH neurons and also in the pituitary. The result of such inhibitions is to reduce the release of ACTH. Relationship of the structure All naturally occurring adrenocortical steroids and the useful, synthetic anti?inflammatory steroids have the following features 1. A double bond between carbons 4 5 in Ring A. 2. A ketone (=0) on carbon 3 in Ring A. 3. Carbons 1