Cortisol and the Chemical effects to the body. The hormone cortisol, which is released in the body during stressed or agitated states, has gained widespread attention as the so-called “stress hormone.” (Stoppler, M. C, M.D., 2005) Cortisol is secreted by adrenal glands. It is the main glucocorticoid hormone, which is produced in response to any physical or emotional stress. Cortisol regulates the level of carbohydrates, muscle proteins and fats. The concentration of cortisol can be increased during pregnancy and stress situations. Standard cortisol level in blood is 6-23 micrograms per deciliter.
It plays very important role in reaction of our organism for stress and hunger. For example, during the hunger cortisol provides maintenance of normal level of glucose in blood. It doesnt allow decreasing of blood pressure in result of emotional or operational shock. When it is used in big dosages, it acts as resolvent. This is the reason it is widely used for treatment of arthritis and other diseases, which are characterized by intensive inflammatory process. Besides, synthetic analogues of cortisol (prednizolon, prednizon) are also very popular in the modern medicine. Lets examine the structure of cortisol.
Cortisol (hydrocortisone, C21H30O5, ), is a corticosteroid hormone synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal glands. Its systematic name is 11?,17,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and its CAS number is 50-23-7 (Wikipedia, 2005) All steroid hormones have the same structure, which consists of 17 atoms of carbon, connected into four circles, marked by letters A, B, C and D. Additional atoms of carbon are linked to the circles as side chains. We number atoms of carbon, starting with 1 in the circle A to distinct them (see picture).
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All steroid hormones are derivatives of cholesterol steroid structure, which contains 27 atoms of carbon. Cholesterol is chemically modified in the adrenal glands: the side chain is deleted, hydroxide groups are added (OH-groups), and double connections are formed (pairs of electrons, which are divided between two neighbor atoms of carbon).
Hydroxide groups are located in positions 17, 21 and 11, whereas double connection is located between atoms 4 and 5 of circle A in molecule of cortisol.
Cortisol maintains euglucemia during stress because it increases access of substrates for gluconeogenesys in liver. It increases influence of epinephrine and glucagons. A person in stress situation has high risk of syndrome of critical adrenal deficiency, which is characterized by fever, hypoglycemia, hyponatriemia, hiperkaliemia and shock. Surgical stress decreases level of thyroid gland hormones. Cortisol violates chemical reaction which turns T4 into T3. T4 becomes biologically inactive substance, opposite to T3. Secretion of thyrotrophic hormone doesnt increase. Our organism starts to produce cortisol during stress situations.
In such situations it depresses cells of brain responsible for memory. For example, when you have to pass the exam and you are overexcited, it is quite difficult to find the answer even for the easiest question. Lets examine the stress situation and reaction of our organism. From the physiological point of view, stress is a standard reaction of organism for unfavorable conditions. Stress syndrome is important mechanism of adaptation. It allows mobilizing our strength to stay alive during dangerous hunting, critical situations, etc. Organism changes standard regime of work to the special regime attack or escape. So, what happens during stress? First of all, our blood system becomes to work more active.
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Arterial blood pressure increases suddenly; blood fills the vessels of bigger muscles and rushes from upper and lower extremities and internals. Our fingers become cold, the face becomes pale. We can feel cold sweat. Heart beating and breathe becomes more frequent. At the same time the adrenal glands work out a lot of hormones adrenalin and cortisol. The hormones destroy supplies of fats and glycogen to provide blood with the fuel fat oils and glucose. And, finally, all analyzers and brains are switched on.
Bibliography: Stoppler, M. C, M.D., (2005).
Cortisol: The “Stress Hormone” Your Guide to Stress Management. Retrieved January 28, 2005. http://stress.about.com/cs/cortisol/a/aa012901.htm Wikipedia. (2005).
Cortisol.
Retrieved January 28, 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol.
