B.

Adrenal Medulla
 Central 20% part of gland
 Functionally related to sympathetic system.
 Secrets catecholamine in response to sympathetic
stimulation-
1. Adrenalin- (Epinephrine)
2. Nor-adrenaline- (Nor-epinephrine)

3. Dopamine

 Cause same effects as stimulation of symp nerves

 Preganglionic symp nerves pass without synapsing
thro symp chains (splanchnic nerves) supply to
adrenal medullae.
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Structure of Adrenal gland
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 Stimulate the secretion of adrenal medullary hormones
 Cells of adrenal medulla are modified neuronal cells.
 Embryologically derived from nervous tissue and are
actually postganglionic sympathetic neurons

➢Synthesis of catecholamine
 Synthesized by hydroxylation & decarboxylation of
amino acids- phenylalanine & tyrosine.
 Occurs in chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla &
axoplasm of terminal sympathetic nerve endings.

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 Phenylalanine
1. Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Tyrosine

Hydroxylation
2. Tyrosine DOPA
Tyrosine hydroxylase
(dihydroxyphenylalanine)

decarboxylation
3. DOPA Dopamine
DOPA decarboxylase

Hydroxylation
4. Dopamine Nor-adrenaline
Dopamine β-Hydroxylase

• In medulla- this reaction goes one step father to convert

about 80% of the NA to Adrenaline
Methelation
5. Noradrenaline Adrenaline

• Released by exocytosis
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➢Sites of synthesis in body
1. Postganglionic sympathetic fibers
2. Some neurons in brain
3. Adrenal medulla- 80% of adrenaline in the
body

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❑Mechanism of action
 Receptors of Adr and NA are called Adrenergic
receptors.
 Present on cell membrane of target cells
 Two types of receptors- α & β receptors
 β receptors are subdivided into- β1 & β2.
 Effect of Adr & NA on α is excitatory
 But on β receptors: β1 are excitatory while β2 are
inhibitory.
α-Receprors Β1-Receptors Β2-Receptors
Noeadrenaline ++ + ±
Adrenaline + ++ +±
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 E.g. Effect of Adrenaline or nor-adrenaline
1. Β1 are located in the heart are excitatory
receptors causes ↑ in HR & force of
contraction
2. β2 are inhibitory receptors located in the
bronchioles of the lungs cause
bronchodilatation and arteries of skeletal
muscle cause vasodilatation
3. α receptors present on arteries are excitatory
cause vasoconstriction→ ↑ BP.

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 Mechanism of action
Adrenaline activate adenyl ATP cAMP
cyclase

Inactive protein kinase Active protein kinase

Inactive phosphorylase Active phosphorylase

kinase
kinase

Inactive phosphorylase b Active phosphorylase ‘a’

Permeability ↑or↓ for Na+, Biological effect

K+ & Ca++ (excitability or inhibitory)

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❑Functions of medullary hormones
1. Effect on metabolism:
 ↑ metabolic rate, ↑ glycogenolysis → ↑ glucose in
blood→ hyperglycemia
 ↑ mobilization of FFA from adipose tissue

2. Effect on CVS:
 Adrenaline ↑ over all activity of heart-
 ↑ HR, force of contraction, excitability &
contractility
 Noradrenalin → Vasoconstriction → ↑ BP →
↑ TPR → Hypertension
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3. Effect on RS: Adrenaline ↑ rate & force of
respiration

4. CNS: Adr ↑ activity of brain, ↑ mental alertness

during fight or flight reaction, ↑ cortical arousal,
anxiety, tremors.

5. It also ↑ secretion of sweat & salivary secretion.

6. Adrenaline helps to maintain body temp by

↑ heat production & ↓ heat loss

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❑Control of secretion of catecholamine
 Neural control via sympathetic nerves-
1. During rest secretion of catecholamine is very small
2. Sharp ↑ of secretion during emergencies →

e.g. fight or flight reactions

1. Exposure to cold → ↑ Rate of secretion for heat
productions → ↑ BMR, Vasoconstriction,
piloerection & shivering.
2. Muscular exercise → ↑ Rate of secretion → ↑BP &
Heart activity → required to provide energy for
muscle work.
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 ❑ Dopamine
➢ Sites of secretion:
 Adrenal medulla: Secreted as a hormone
 Dopaminergic neurons in brain as a NT
e.g. substantia nigra in basal ganglia
 Hypothalamus: Released as a Neurohormone.

➢ Effects:
 ↑ HR, Vasoconstriction, ↑ SBP
 Hypothalamus → DA → control Ant. Pituitary activity
 Deficiency of DA in basal ganglia → Parkinsonism
 Helps to control brain’s reward & pleasure centers
 Helps to control the movement and emotional
responses.
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❑Applied
➢Pheochromocytoma
 Condition of excessive secretion of
catecholamines
 Cause: Tumor of chromaffin cells in adrenal
medulla
➢Signs symptoms:
 Hypertension- called endocrine secondary
hypertension
 Tachycardia
 ↑ BP → 300+/200 mmHg,
 Chest pain, severe palpitation
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 Anxiety, headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting,
polyuria, loss of wt., weakness, dizziness.
 Some metabolic disorders, ↑ BMR, hyperglycemia,
glucosuria,
↑ FFA in blood,
 ↑ depth & rate of breathing,
 Skin becomes pale, cool & moist,
 Pupils are dilated,
 ↑ body temp

➢Can be cured by surgery

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