Question

Explain how non-specific stress results in cortisol production including the various organs and hormones involved. If a person experiences long-term stress what changes might you expect in their blood glucose levels and blood pressure related to cortisol increases.

Answer 1

Organs involved in cortisol and other hormones production in response to stress:

When body is exposed to stress it is sensed by regions of the brain like amygdala , prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These regions have a direct contact with hypothalamus which causes CRH ( corticotropin releasing hormone ) release. This CRH acts on anterior pituitary gland which causes ACTH ( adreno corticotropic hormone). The sympathetic nervous of autonomic system also gets stimulated. Acth circulates and reaches adrenal cortex , acth bind with acth receptors and causes cortisol release, sympathetic nervous system which innervates adrenal medulla causes norepinephrine release. Thus cortisol level and norepinephrine levels in the blood is elevated.  

Thus cortisol release is controlled by HPA ( hypothalamo pituitary adrenal axis ). And norepinephrine known as fight flight hormone is controlled by sympathetic stimulation.  

CORTISOL AND BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS:

Cortisol Causes increased blood glucose levels. This is done by cortisol released in blood binds to specific receptors through circulation causing action. In liver it causes gluconeogenesis increasing glucose levels. It Also cause glucagon levels to rise which causes rise in glucose. It also decreases insulin sensitivity causing resistance, increasing glucose levels . It also cause glycogenolysis in skeletal muscles. Overall glucose levels are increased, to meet bodys stress requirement.  

BLOOD PRESSURE LEVEL IN RESPONSE TO CORTISOL INCREASE:

It causes sodium retention which causes increased blood volume increasing blood pressure. It also increases pressor response of catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine, which inturn causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure.