Question

Explain the process of cortisol signaling. what kind of signaling is it? how does it affect the liver and skeletal muscle? what pathways are enhanced?

Answer 1

Cortisol is a hormone released from the adrenal glands placed about the kidneys. It regulates many physiological processes in the body such as metabolism and immune responses. It becomes essential active component during stress. As a result it increases the heart rate and high energy assimilation. Cholesterol give rise to cortisol by different pathways. The cortisol production is controlled by hypothalamus - pituitary - adrenal (HPA) series of glands. The stimuli for cortisol production can be physical or emotional stress which causes corticotropin-releasing hormone production. This corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the pituitary gland for the ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) production from the anterior lobe. This ACTH stimulates the production and release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. The cortisol hormone is active in the unbound form. Cortisol binds to glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and than starts many physiological events. It give rise to metabolic pathways initiate in in body cells. The cortisol controls the body in mainly two different methods:

1. Direct gene activation mechanism

2. Through membrane associated receptors.

It is an endocrine type signalling in which the hormone is released via series of endocrine glands.

The cortisol production enhances the level of glucose into the blood via gluconeogenesis which causes breakdown of stored glycogen inside the liver. This activity is increased during the stressful conditions. The blood sugar level rises to a limit and this glucose is utilised by the skeletal muscles to overcome the fight or flight condition during emergency. During emergency it also enhances The breakdown of protein and fats to provide metabolites for the reaction.

The production of cortisol in hence the the two pathways which are antistress pathway and anti inflammatory pathway. In anti inflammatory pathway, it suppresses the the inflammatory reactions like inflammation and immune response for the self body cells.