Hormones and SteroidsHormones and Steroids

L. SchefflerL. Scheffler

Lincoln High SchoolLincoln High School

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The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System

MaleMale Female Female 2

The endocrine glands are ductless. That is they secrete hormones directly into the blood stream.Hormones elicit responses in cells that have the appropriate receptors. These cells are known as target cells

HormonesHormonesHormones are Hormones are produced in the produced in the endocrine glands and endocrine glands and transported to various transported to various active sites in the active sites in the body.body.

Hormones are primarily Hormones are primarily chemical messengerschemical messengers which control a variety which control a variety of functions in the of functions in the body.body.

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Endocrine GlandsEndocrine Glands

The endocrine glands The endocrine glands are are controlled by the controlled by the pituitary glandpituitary gland which which is found at the base is found at the base of the brain. of the brain.

The pituitary gland is The pituitary gland is in turn controlled by in turn controlled by the the hypothalamus.hypothalamus.

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ThyroxineThyroxineProduced in the Thyroid.Produced in the Thyroid.

Contains iodine.Contains iodine.

Regulates metabolism.Regulates metabolism.

Hypothyroidism results in Hypothyroidism results in lethargy, sensitivity to cold lethargy, sensitivity to cold and dry skin.and dry skin.

Hyperthyroidism results in Hyperthyroidism results in anxiety, weight loss, anxiety, weight loss, intolerance to heat and intolerance to heat and protruding eyes.protruding eyes.

Hyperthyroidism often resultsin an enlarged thyroid

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AdrenalinAdrenalinProduced by the Adrenal Produced by the Adrenal glandsglandsStimulant closely related to Stimulant closely related to amphetamineamphetamineReleased at times of Released at times of excitementexcitementResults in:Results in:

• Dilation of pupils and airways• Increased heartbeat• Release of sugar in blood stream• Fight or flight response

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AdrenalinAdrenalinAdrenalin is Adrenalin is synthesized in synthesized in the body from the body from tyrosine.tyrosine.

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InsulinInsulinProtein– 51 amino acidsProtein– 51 amino acidsFormed in Formed in pancreaspancreasRegulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar levelslevelsDiabetes-Diabetes-HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia results in thirst, weight results in thirst, weight loss, lethargy, circulation loss, lethargy, circulation problems and coma in problems and coma in severe cases.severe cases.Hyperglycemia results Hyperglycemia results from too little insulin. from too little insulin. leads to dizziness and leads to dizziness and faintingfainting

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SteroidsSteroids have a characteristic structure with four rings:

They differ

in terms of

the side

chains on

the steroid

skeleton

Steroid structure

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CholesterolCholesterolCholesterol is the basic building block for all other steroids.

Cholesterol is formed in the liver and found in all tissues, the blood, brain, and spinal cord.

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CholesterolCholesterolCholesterol Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your bloodstream and in all your body's cells. body's cells. It's normal to have It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is an cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy important part of a healthy body because it's used for body because it's used for producing cell membranes producing cell membranes and some hormones.and some hormones.

Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high levels of blood cholesterol. high levels of blood cholesterol.

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Cholesterol (LDL vs. HDL)Cholesterol (LDL vs. HDL)HDL (High Density Lipoproteins or good HDL (High Density Lipoproteins or good CholesterolCholesterolAbout one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seems to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increases the risk of heart disease

LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins or Bad Cholesterol)When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain forming plaque. Plaque can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.

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Cholesterol and Cholesterol and TriglyceridesTriglycerides

Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more).

Triglycerides are a form of fat made in the body.

People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (bad) level and a low HDL (good) level

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Sex HormonesSex HormonesMaleMale FemaleFemale

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Sex HormonesSex Hormones

There are only slight differences between the There are only slight differences between the male and female sex hormones. Yet these male and female sex hormones. Yet these differences are enough to allow for differences are enough to allow for significant changes in the secondary sex significant changes in the secondary sex characteristics.characteristics.Both sexes have both sets of hormonesBoth sexes have both sets of hormonesDeficiencies in the sex hormones result in Deficiencies in the sex hormones result in changes in external sex characteristics such changes in external sex characteristics such as facial hair and genital size.as facial hair and genital size.Differences in female hormone levels control Differences in female hormone levels control the female menstrual cycle.the female menstrual cycle.

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Female Hormones and Birth Female Hormones and Birth ControlControl

Oral contraceptives (the pill) combine Oral contraceptives (the pill) combine synthetic progesterone and estrogen. synthetic progesterone and estrogen. These two hormones act to stop the release These two hormones act to stop the release of LHRH by the hypothalamus and FSH and of LHRH by the hypothalamus and FSH and LH by the pituitary. LH by the pituitary. This results in the ovaries not being This results in the ovaries not being stimulated and ovulation stopsstimulated and ovulation stops In effect, the female reproductive system is In effect, the female reproductive system is fooled because the drug mimics the action of fooled because the drug mimics the action of progesterone in a pregnant womanprogesterone in a pregnant woman

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Oral Contraception and Oral Contraception and Synthetic HormonesSynthetic Hormones

Progesterone is quite expensive and breaks down Progesterone is quite expensive and breaks down rapidly in the liver.rapidly in the liver.Progesterone-like synthetic chemicals such as Progesterone-like synthetic chemicals such as norethynodrel and norethindrone are now commonly norethynodrel and norethindrone are now commonly used in birth control pills.used in birth control pills.They are combined with an estradiol-like compound to They are combined with an estradiol-like compound to prevent irregular menstrual flow. prevent irregular menstrual flow. The molecular framework of the synthetic chemicals in The molecular framework of the synthetic chemicals in synthetic pills is similar to progesterone.synthetic pills is similar to progesterone.The –COCHThe –COCH3 group on the D ring is replaced by the – group on the D ring is replaced by the –OH and –C=CH on C17. OH and –C=CH on C17. These changes cause the synthetic steroids to tightly These changes cause the synthetic steroids to tightly bind with the receptor sites, preventing rapid bind with the receptor sites, preventing rapid breakdown by the liver.breakdown by the liver.This allows the pill to be administered orally.This allows the pill to be administered orally.

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Oral ContraceptivesOral ContraceptivesThe molecular framework of The molecular framework of the synthetic chemicals in the synthetic chemicals in synthetic pills is similar to synthetic pills is similar to progesterone.progesterone.

– The The –COCH–COCH3 group on group on the the DD ring is replaced by ring is replaced by the –OH and the –OH and –C–C==CHCH on on C17C17. .

These changes cause the These changes cause the synthetic steroids to tightly synthetic steroids to tightly bind with the receptor sites, bind with the receptor sites, preventing rapid preventing rapid breakdown by the liver.breakdown by the liver.

This allows the pill to be This allows the pill to be administered orally.administered orally.

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Anabolic SteroidsAnabolic SteroidsAnabolic Steroids are similar to testosterone.Like testosterone they promote increased muscle mass and growth.Anabolic steroids may be helpful for patients suffering from long, debilitating illnesses.Testosterone-like steroids cause minimal side effects and can be used to stimulate muscle growth, increase muscle mass, and help such patients recover their body weight.Prolonged use can have serious side effects.

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Anabolic SteroidsAnabolic Steroids Several steroids that Several steroids that resemble resemble testosterone have testosterone have been synthesized been synthesized including:including:

– Norethandrolone– Oxymetholone– Methyltestosterone

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Abuse of Anabolic SteroidsAbuse of Anabolic Steroids

Many athletes have found that they can Many athletes have found that they can enhance their performance by using anabolic enhance their performance by using anabolic steroids. steroids.

Testosterone is more prevalent in men and is Testosterone is more prevalent in men and is principally responsible for muscle build-up. principally responsible for muscle build-up.

Women who use anabolic steroids have Women who use anabolic steroids have much to gain because, initially, there is only much to gain because, initially, there is only a low concentration of testosterone present a low concentration of testosterone present in their bodies.in their bodies.

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Abuse of Anabolic SteroidsAbuse of Anabolic SteroidsTaking large doses of anabolic steroids causes Taking large doses of anabolic steroids causes harmful side effects. harmful side effects.

In men:In men: impotence, baldness, problems in urinating, impotence, baldness, problems in urinating, smaller testes, smaller testes,

In womenIn women: changes in secondary sex characteristics, : changes in secondary sex characteristics, build up of muscles and increased facial hair, build up of muscles and increased facial hair,

Both men and women also experience Both men and women also experience • violent temper,violent temper,• increased aggressive behavior as well as increased aggressive behavior as well as • diseases such as liver tumors, high blood diseases such as liver tumors, high blood

pressure and heart attacks. pressure and heart attacks.

Anabolic steroids are strictly forbidden at Anabolic steroids are strictly forbidden at international athletic competitions. international athletic competitions.

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Human Growth Hormone (hGH)Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Stimulates growth, cell Stimulates growth, cell reproduction and reproduction and regenerationregeneration

Causes increased height Causes increased height (growth spurt) in children(growth spurt) in children

Causes increased muscle Causes increased muscle mass, protein synthesis, mass, protein synthesis, organ growth, breaking organ growth, breaking down of fat for energy down of fat for energy (lipolysis), stimulates (lipolysis), stimulates immune systemimmune system http://hypericum.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/hgh2.jpg

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

An anabolic agent similar to anabolic steroids An anabolic agent similar to anabolic steroids and testosteroneand testosteroneDoping with hGH forbidden in professional Doping with hGH forbidden in professional athleticsathleticsRecent studies have shown excessive hGH in Recent studies have shown excessive hGH in male athletes male athletes decreasesdecreases stamina and hinders stamina and hinders athletic performanceathletic performancehGH may only increase water weight stored in hGH may only increase water weight stored in muscles without truly increasing muscle protein muscles without truly increasing muscle protein synthesissynthesis

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

hGH has been used to treat conditions that hGH has been used to treat conditions that stunt growth, decrease body fat or regenerate stunt growth, decrease body fat or regenerate wasted muscle (Turner syndrome, Prader-wasted muscle (Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, muscle wasting from AIDS)Willi syndrome, muscle wasting from AIDS)Also used to treat hGH deficiencyAlso used to treat hGH deficiencyBeneficial effects of hGH in individuals with Beneficial effects of hGH in individuals with the above conditions are greater than its the above conditions are greater than its effects in healthy humans.effects in healthy humans.Side effects of treatment include Side effects of treatment include hypertension, joint and muscle pain, immune hypertension, joint and muscle pain, immune rejection of foreign hGHrejection of foreign hGH