Role of Hormones in Homeostasis

• Homeostatis
• Glucocorticoids
• Cortisol
• Gluconeogenesis

Homeostasis

Any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival.

Glucocorticoids

• Glucocorticoids are a class of corticosteroids, which are a class of steroid hormones.
• Bind to the glucocorticoid receptor GR
  • activated GR complex up-regulates the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins in the nucleus or represses the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins in the cytosol
• Plays role in regulation of glucose metabolism,
• Glucocorticoids are part of the feedback mechanism in the immune system, which reduces certain aspects of immune function, such as inflammation.

Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that play a key role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis .

Cortisol is a human glucocorticoid hormone that is essential for survival under periods of stress. Cortisol is It is the main glucocorticoid released from the zona fasciculata layer of the adrenal cortex. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is synthesized from cholesterol.

• glucocorticoids have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects

Glucocorticoid receptors are present in almost all tissues in the body. Therefore, cortisol is able to affect nearly every organ system:

Nervous
Immune
Cardiovascular 
Respiratory 
Reproductive
Musculoskeletal
Integumentary

cortisol acts on the pancreas to decrease insulin and increase glucagon. Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the pancreatic alpha cells

Stress

• Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal glands

  • helps regulate glucose metabolism during stress
    • increase gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, ensuring an adequate energy supply
  • regulate blood pressure during acute stress
    • increases cardiac output, contributing to the body’s readiness for the fight or flight response
  • governs circadian rhythm

• Cortisol activates hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis

  • controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes, including digestion, immune responses, mood and emotions, sexual activity, homeostasis, and energy storage and expenditure.

• Disruptions happen in cortisol regulation due to

  • chronic stress
  • disease
  • aging

• Social hierarchies and its dynamics are a major factor in cortisol regulation.

• Chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation leads to

  • neuroinflammation in the central nervous system & HPA axis dysregulation
    • Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
  • heighten pain sensitivity and susceptibility
  • chronic inflammation

Cortisol

Cortisol (Stress Hormone) is a steroid hormone that is produced by the 2 adrenal glands. It is used by body to manage stress when faced with a theart.

Four distinct responses to stress

nervous system shows against stressful situations :-

1. Fight
2. Flight
3. Freeze
4. Fawn

Fight or Flight

• Taught via centuries of evolution, nervous system stored shortcuts for harmful situations
• Loud sounds (e.g., tiger roar) increase heart rate ? Body prepares for physical action, pumps more oxygen to organs
• Today, similar response to loud traffic

Freeze

• Used as a stalling tactic
• Nervous system encounters an unknown experience
• It pauses in a hypervigilant state, waits for more data to decide on fight or flight
• May lead to lifelong trauma. Body remembers, but mind has blank spaces

Fawn

• Nervous system decides to surrender and please the abuser
• Common in children of narcissistic parents
• Repeated instances lead to loss of personal boundaries and identity

Gluconeogenesis

Gluconeogenesis is a process that transforms non-carbohydrate substrates (such as lactate, amino acids, and glycerol) into glucose

The abnormally increased rate of hepatic gluconeogenesis contributes to hyperglycemia of both type I and II diabetes

Gluconeogenesis is modulated by various external factors, such as nutrient and energy conditions, exercise, and stress reaction.

Hormones Control Gluconeogenesis