Understanding the Role of Hormones in the Adrenal Gland's Response to Stress

The adrenal gland plays a crucial role in our body's response to stress. Its unique ability to react and adapt to various physical and emotional threats is mediated by a coordinated action of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, also known as the stress system 'hormones of adrenal gland'. In order to survive, all living organisms must maintain a steady state of homeostasis.

Recent research has shed new light on our understanding of the adrenal gland's microenvironment and its role in coordinating stress-induced hormone secretion. This mini-review highlights some of these recent insights. The dysregulation of any cell or cellular compartment within this system can ultimately affect the adrenal stress response.

One key mechanism involved in this process is reduced glucocorticoid (GC) metabolism, as well as the activation of intra-adrenal cellular systems composed of adrenocortical and adrenomedullary cells, endothelial cells, and resident and recruited immune cells. Interestingly, levels of GCs remain normal or are elevated in patients with these conditions, suggesting a shift from central to local regulation of adrenal stress response.

In many critical ill patients, levels of both corticotropin-releasing hormone and adrenocorticotropin, the two major regulators of adrenal hormone production, are suppressed. Sepsis, resulting from microbial infections, is an extreme example of a stress situation. During stress, the adrenal gland rapidly responds with increased secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines into circulation.

These hormones have a range of effects on the body, including affecting metabolism to provide acutely energy, increasing blood pressure by affecting vasculature, and preventing excessive immune activation. The adrenal gland is a major effector organ of the stress system, and its defense against stress is executed through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal medullary system.

In conclusion, our understanding of the adrenal gland's response to stress has been significantly advanced by recent research. The coordinated action of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems allows us to react and adapt to various physical and emotional threats, ultimately ensuring our survival.

References:

Hormones of adrenal gland