Blood Sugar and Steroids

Pancreas (basic info)

- Located between the small intestine and the spleen

- Regulates blood sugar through hormones (insulin and glucagon)

Islets of Langerhans

Cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ

What cells are found in the islets of Langerhans?

Alpha cells (secrete glucagon) and Beta cells (secrete insulin)

Why is regulating blood glucose important?

Maintain homeostasis

- Cells use glucose as fuel

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar

- Symptoms: hunger, shakiness, weakness, dizziness

Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar

- Symptoms: thrist, fatigue, frequent urination

Insulin

Lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose uptake in the blood

- Secreted by beta cells

Glucagon

Raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver

- Secreted by alpha cells

What do the adrenal glands in the adrenal cortex secrete and what do they do?

Glucocorticoids: help raise blood sugar levels

- Stimulate the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrates

- Reduce glucose uptake by body cells

- Promote the breakdown of fats (fatty acids) and proteins (amino acids) as fuel

Diabetes

Disease characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by issues with insulin production

Difference between type I and type II diabetes

Type I:

- Beta cells do not produce insulin

- Need to inject insulin regularly and monitor blood glucose levels

Type II:

- Reduced insulin production or inability to bing to receptors

- Strongly associated with obesity

- Monitor diet and excerise because insulin can be produced

Natural steroid hromones

Hormones the body naturally makes (ex. testosterone, estrogen, progestens, aldosteron, cortisol)

Synthetic steroids

Chemicals designed to mimic the actions of natural hormones

- Also used to treat autoimmune disorders, pain and inflammation

What are some synthetic steroids?

Prednisone: lupus after organ transplant

Beclomethasone: asthma

Dexamethasone: rheumatoid arhtritis

Hydrocortisone: inflammatory skin disorders

What do anabolic steroids do?

Increase muscle mass and strength

What do peptide hormones do?

Improve muscle mass or increase R.B.C to carry more oxygen

What do masking agents do?

Make steroids harder to detect and stop the excretion for a few hours