Hormones

Introduction
• Hormones are body‘s chemical messengers release by body glands.
They travel in bloodstream to tissues or organs.

• Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in body

by carrying messages through blood to organs, skin, muscles and
other tissues. These signals tell body what to do and when to do it.
 Functions of hormones
1. Metabolism (the way you break down food and get energy
from nutrients).
2. Growth and development.
3. Emotions and mood.
4. Fertility and sexual function.
5. Sleep.
6. Blood pressure.
 Glands that produces hormones

Hypothalamus:
• This gland is located in brain and controls endocrine system.
• It uses information from nervous system to determine when to tell
other glands to produce hormones.
• The hypothalamus controls many processes in body, including mood,
hunger and thirst, sleep patterns and sexual function.
Pituitary
• This little gland is only about the size of a pea, but it has a big job.
• It makes hormones that control several other glands such as the
thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles.
• The pituitary gland is in charge of many different functions, including
how body grows. It’s located at the base of brain.
• Thyroid
• Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of neck. It’s
responsible for metabolism (how body uses energy).

• Parathyroid
• These four tiny glands are no larger than a grain of rice.
• They control the level of calcium in body. For heart, kidneys, bones
and nervous system to work, need the right amount of calcium.
• Adrenal
Two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney.
They control metabolism, blood pressure, sexual development and
response to stress.
• Pineal
• This gland manages sleep cycle by releasing melatonin, a hormone
that causes to feel sleepy.
• Pancreas
• Pancreas is part of endocrine system, and it plays a significant role
in digestive system . It makes a hormone called insulin that controls
the level of sugar in your blood.
• Ovaries
• In women, the ovaries release sex hormones called estrogen,
progesterone and testosterone. Women have two ovaries.
• Testes
• In men, the testes (testicles) release the hormone testosterone. (Sex
hormones)
 Classification of hormones

• Three Classes of hormones:

1. Steriod hormone
2. Amino hormone
3. Peptide hormone
1. Steriod Hormones
• Steroid hormones are a group of hormones derived from
cholesterol that act as chemical messengers in the body.

• Functions
1. Growth,
2. Development,
3. Energy metabolism,
4. Homeostasis
5. Reproduction.
 Classes of steriod hormone:

1. Glucocorticoids
2. Mineralocorticoids
3. Androgens
4. Oestrogens
5. Progestogens
 2. Amino hormone
• Any of a class of chemical compounds that contain a single amino
acid that has been modified into a hormone.

Hormones Secreting glands Functions

increases blood pressure, heart

adrenaline adrenal rate, and metabolism in reaction
to stress

melatonin pineal controls sleep and wake cycles

help to control several body
thyroid hormone (thyroxine) thyroid functions, including the rate of
metabolism and energy levels
3: Peptide Hormone

• Peptide hormones are hormones that are made

of small chains of amino acids.
• The body produces a wide range of peptide hormones,
which circulate in the blood and bind to receptors on
targeted organs and tissues.
Peptide Hormones Functions
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the production and release of
cortisol.( increases sugars (glucose) in the
bloodstream)
amylin maintaining glucose homeostasis
angiotensin maintain blood pressure and fluid balance
in the body.
atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) lower blood pressure and to control
electrolyte homeostasis.
calcitonin helping to regulate levels of calcium and
phosphate in the blood
gastrin enhancing gastric mucosal growth, gastric
motility, and secretion of hydrochloric acid
(HCl) into the stomach
 Mechanisms of Action of hormones
• A hormone is a secreted chemical messenger that enables
communication between cells and tissues throughout the body.

• Hormones are released into the bloodstream through which they

travel to target sites.

• The target cell has receptors specific to a given hormone and will be
activated by either a lipid-soluble (permeable to plasma membrane)
or water-soluble hormone (binds to a cell-surface receptor).
• Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse through the plasma
membrane to enter the target cell and bind to a receptor
protein.
• Water-soluble hormones bind to a receptor protein on the
plasma membrane of the cell.
• Receptor stimulation results in a change in cell activity, which
may send feedback to the original hormone-producing cell.
Cardiac Hormones:
Cardiac hormones are hormones that play a crucial role in regulating the
cardiovascular system. Some of the key cardiac hormones include:

1. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP):

Produced by the atria of the heart, ANP helps regulate blood pressure by
promoting the excretion of sodium and water by the kidneys, which reduces blood
volume and pressure.

2. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP):

BNP is primarily secreted by the ventricles of the heart in response to increased
pressure and volume. It helps to relax blood vessels and reduce the workload of the
heart.

3. Endothelin:
Endothelin is a vasoconstrictor hormone produced by the endothelium of blood
vessels. It has the opposite effect of ANP and BNP, as it narrows blood vessels and
raises blood pressure.

4. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS):

While not a single hormone, the components of the RAAS system, including
renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone, play a pivotal role in regulating blood pressure
and fluid balance. These components act together to constrict blood vessels and
increase blood pressure when needed.

These hormones work in concert to help regulate blood pressure, blood volume,
and maintain cardiovascular homeostasis.
Gastrointestinal Hormones:
Gastrointestinal hormones are hormones that are produced and released by various
cells in the gastrointestinal tract. These hormones play a significant role in
regulating digestion, absorption of nutrients, and other functions of the digestive
system. Here are some important gastrointestinal hormones:

1. Gastrin:
Gastrin is produced by G cells in the stomach and helps stimulate the secretion of
gastric acid, which aids in the digestion of food.

2. Secretin:
Secretin is released by cells in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)
in response to acidic chyme (partially digested food) entering the small intestine. It
stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice, which
neutralizes stomach acid.

3. Cholecystokinin (CCK):
CCK is produced in the duodenum and stimulates the gallbladder to release bile
and the pancreas to release digestive enzymes. It also acts as an appetite
suppressant.

4. Ghrelin:
Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and stimulates hunger. Its levels rise before
meals, signaling the body to eat.

5. Peptide YY (PYY):
PYY is produced in the small and large intestine and plays a role in reducing
appetite. Its levels increase after meals, promoting a feeling of fullness.
6. Motilin:
Motilin is produced in the small intestine and stimulates the contraction of the
muscles in the stomach and small intestine, helping to move food along the
digestive tract.

7. Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP):

GIP is produced by the small intestine and plays a role in regulating insulin release
in response to glucose in the blood.

These gastrointestinal hormones work together to regulate the various processes

involved in digestion, nutrient absorption, and appetite control.

Pineal Gland:
The pineal gland, a small endocrine gland in the brain, produces several important
hormones, with melatonin being the most well-known. Here are the key hormones
produced by the pineal gland:

1. Melatonin:
Melatonin is the most prominent hormone produced by the pineal gland. It plays a
crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) and is often
referred to as the "sleep hormone." Melatonin production increases in response to
darkness and decreases with exposure to light, helping to regulate our sleep
patterns.

2. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT):
DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in trace amounts in the
human brain, including the pineal gland. It is associated with altered states of
consciousness and has been the subject of scientific and cultural interest.
3. Serotonin:
The pineal gland is involved in the conversion of serotonin to melatonin. Serotonin
is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation and various other
physiological processes.

While melatonin is the primary hormone produced by the pineal gland and is well
understood, the functions of DMT and the pineal gland's role in producing and
releasing DMT are still subjects of ongoing research and debate.