Dynamics of adrenal glucocorticoid steroidogenesis in health and disease

Francesca Spiga; Stafford L Lightman

doi:10.1016/j.mce.2015.02.005

Dynamics of adrenal glucocorticoid steroidogenesis in health and disease

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015 Jun 15:408:227-34. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.02.005. Epub 2015 Feb 7.

Authors

Francesca Spiga¹, Stafford L Lightman²

Affiliations

¹ Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Electronic address: f.spiga@bristol.ac.uk.
² Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

PMID: 25662280
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.02.005

Abstract

The activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is characterized by an ultradian (pulsatile) pattern of hormone secretion. Pulsatility of glucocorticoids has been found critical for optimal transcriptional, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. This review will focus on the mechanisms underlying the origin of the glucocorticoid ultradian rhythm. Our recent research shows that the ultradian rhythm of glucocorticoids depends on highly dynamic processes within adrenocortical steroidogenic cells. Furthermore, we have evidence that disruption of these dynamics leads to abnormal glucocorticoid secretion observed in disease and critical illness in both humans and rats.

Keywords: Adrenal cortex; Glucocorticoids; HPA axis; Inflammation; Steroidogenesis; Ultradian rhythm.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Glands / metabolism*
Animals
Circadian Rhythm
Disease*
Glucocorticoids / metabolism*
Health*
Humans
Steroids / biosynthesis*

Substances

Glucocorticoids
Steroids

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding