BIOCHEMISTRY - Key Regulators and Biological Fluids of the Human Body - 2016

2. HORMONES

2.7. Steroid Hormones

1. Adrenal Cortex Hormones — corticosteroids.

The adrenal cortex produces about 10 vital fat-soluble hormones. These hormones are derivatives of cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene, with Cholesterol serving as their precursor in the body. Corticosteroids are divided into two groups: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids regulate protein and Carbohydrate METABOLISM, enhancing the synthesis of CARBOHYDRATES from Amino Acids and Fatty acids.

Mineralocorticoids regulate Water and Electrolyte balance, promoting the retention of sodium ions in the body while increasing the urinary excretion of potassium ions, and enhance muscular performance. It is worth noting that corticosteroid synthesis increases As a result of heavy physical exertion.

Damage to the adrenal cortex disrupts the production and secretion of corticosteroids into the bloodstream, leading to Addison's disease (bronze disease). Its symptoms include Skin hyperpigmentation, severe weight loss, muscular and cardiac weakness, and fluid-electrolyte imbalance, ultimately resulting in death.

2. Sex Gland Hormones — androgens (male) and estrogens (female). These hormones regulate reproductive Functions. Androgens are produced in the Testes and exert an anabolic effect, i.e., they stimulate Protein Synthesis. They are used in the Treatment of hormone-dependent tumors in women. Estrogens are produced in the Ovaries and can be used in the treatment of hormone-dependent tumors in men.

Synthetic derivatives based on Male Sex Hormones have been developed that have a minimal impact on reproductive Organs (gonadotropic effect) while dramatically boosting PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND Muscle growth; these are known as anabolic Steroids. They are used in medicine to treat wasting syndromes, though prolonged use of such drugs causes prostate hypertrophy in men and virilization (male-pattern Muscle Development, excessive limb Hair growth) in women.