Question

You accidentally remove the adrenal glands. The patient now doesn’t produce aldosterone. What affect will this have on the kidneys? What effect on hydration? What effect on blood pressure? Tell me one other system that will be drastically altered by a lack of adrenal glands.

Next, the patient begins to hyperventilate, what will happen to plasma pH? How might a paper bag help correct this? What will the kidneys do to compensate?
You hand them a pill of unknown origin. After they’ve taken it, you discover that it’s a poison, which is filtered and secreted in the nephron, but not reabsorbed. Is this better or worse than something that is reabsorbed? Explain.

Answer 1

1Q).

Aldosterone is the most significant mineralocorticoid, secreted from zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex. This hormone influences the water and mineral metabolism and thus helps to maintain electrolyte and water balance.

Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium ions (Na+) and water in the renal tubules and promotes the excretion of potassium ions (K+) through the same. Aldosterone also increase the hydrogen ion (H+) excretion. Thus, increases the blood volume and blood pressure to the normal levels, after which the ADH release also decreases.

So, removing aldosterone reduce the sodium reabsorption from the renal tubules of kidneys and also prevent potassium excretion. It results in reduced blood pressure.

Adrenal glands are the pyramidal shaped endocrine glands located on the top of each kidney (left and right). The two parts of adrenal glands are,

· Adrenal medulla

· Adrenal cortex

Adrenal cortex of adrenal gland secretes three types of cortico-steroidal hormones. They are,

· Glucocorticoids (cortisol, hydrocortisone and corticosterone)

· Mineralo corticoids (aldosterone)

· Sex steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone)

Glucocorticoids influence the metabolic functions of the body and they also have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic effects.

Testosterone is the primary reproductive hormone in males.

Adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These two hormones are the neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of which increase the cardiac output and blood pressure.

Thus, the circulatory system, metabolic activities, and reproductive system are drastically affected by adrenal glands.