I. Introduction: The Adrenal Functional Unit II. Interaction Between Adrenal Medulla and Adrenal Cortex A. Relationship between medullary and cortical cells B. Paracrine control of adrenocortical function by the adrenal medulla C. Gap junctions in the adrenal cortex D. Summary III. Innervation of the Adrenal Cortex A. Evidence for a nerve supply to the adrenal cortex B. The source of adrenocortical innervation C. Regulation of adrenocortical innervation D. Role of the splanchnic nerve in regulating adrenocortical neural function E. Influence of adrenal innervation on adrenocortical function F. Effects of neurotransmitter substances on adrenocortical function G. Summary IV. The Vascular System of the Adrenal Gland A. Regulation of blood flow B. Relationship between blood flow and steroid secretion C. Effects of vascular endothelial cell products on steroid secretion D. Summary V. The Intraadrenal CRH/ACTH System A. Extrapituitary effect of CRH B. Intraadrenal ACTH C. Intraadrenal CRH and CRH receptors D. F...

Intraadrenal Interactions in the Regulation of Adrenocortical Steroidogenesis

Receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine : current perspectives on classification and nomenclature

Serotonin and the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function.

The mechanism by which cortisol is produced in adrenal Cushing’s syndrome, when ACTH is suppressed, was previously unknown and was referred to as being “autonomous.” More recently, several investigators have shown that some cortisol and other steroid-producing adrenal tumors or hyperplasias are under the control of ectopic (or aberrant, illicit, inappropriate) membrane hormone receptors. These include ectopic receptors for gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP),β -adrenergic agonists, or LH/hCG; a similar outcome can result from altered activity of eutopic receptors, such as those for vasopressin (V1-AVPR), serotonin (5-HT4), or possibly leptin. The presence of aberrant receptors places adrenal cells under stimulation by a trophic factor not negatively regulated by glucocorticoids, leading to increased steroidogenesis and possibly to the proliferative phenotype. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the abnormal expression and function of membrane hormone receptors are still largely unknown. Identificati...

/pdf/ectopic-and-abnormal-hormone-receptors-in-adrenal-cushing-s-1y3o2vy73u.pdf

L.M. Wolf

Papers

Serotonin-induced stimulation of cortisol secretion from human adrenocortical tissue is mediated through activation of a serotonin4 receptor subtype.