The study of the hormonal regulation of our body is the science of endocrinology. In addition, the mechanism of action of all biological compounds lies in such a field of medicine as biochemistry. Both of these sciences are extremely important, since hormones have many different influences necessary for normal life. It is these substances that are responsible for all types of metabolism in the body (carbohydrate, protein, fat). Thanks to this, the distribution of energy of useful substances necessary for the maintenance of life occurs. One of the most important hormones is insulin. As you know, with its insufficiency, there is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of diabetes mellitus. In addition, no less important are contrainsular hormones. They are also essential for metabolism. In addition, each of these biological compounds has a specific function.
Control hormone - what is it?
As you know, the hormone insulin is needed to control glucose levels. If heis released in small quantities or is not perceived by receptors, then a person develops diabetes mellitus. You should also know that not only a deficiency is dangerous, but also an excess of this biological substance. To inactivate it in the body, there is a contrainsular hormone, and not one, but several. All of them have different effects on carbohydrate metabolism. However, each of them leads to a decrease in the concentration of insulin in the blood. Each of these hormones is produced in "its" organ. Production sites for these biological substances include the pancreas, thyroid, adrenal glands, brain, and testicles.
Purpose
Kontrinsular hormone is a substance that is necessary to ensure carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Its action is aimed at maintaining normal glucose levels. In addition, each contra-insular hormone is responsible for its own function, not related to metabolism. The normal blood glucose level is 3.3 to 5.5 mmol. If insulin is responsible for ensuring that the concentration of sugar does not increase, then its antagonists are necessary to maintain the lower limit of this indicator. With a decrease in blood glucose, a dangerous condition for the body occurs - hypoglycemia. It is characterized by a breakdown, a decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia and tremor. If a person is not helped in time, then hypoglycemia can lead to a coma. To prevent this from happening, hormones that correct the action of insulin are needed. There are several such substances in the body.
Varieties
Control hormones are biological substances secreted by various endocrine glands. In addition to their own function, each of these compounds is able to regulate carbohydrate metabolism. However, in order to maintain normal glycemic levels, the action of all these substances is necessary. Biological compounds that are insulin antagonists are divided into the following groups:
- Thyroid hormones. These include thyroxine.
- Substances secreted by the cortical and medulla of the adrenal glands. Representatives of this group are cortisol and adrenaline.
- Somatotropic hormone. It is secreted by the pituitary gland.
- Kontrinsular hormone secreted in the endocrine part of the pancreas. This biological compound is glucagon.
- Testosterone. It is produced both in the adrenal cortex and in the male gonads - the testicles.
Each of these hormones is secreted by its "own" endocrine gland. However, they are all regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary system located in the brain.
Control hormones: mechanism of action in the body
Despite the fact that all insulin antagonists affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, their mechanism of action is different. Glucagon has a direct effect on blood glucose levels. This hormone is produced by pancreatic cells all the time. However, ifthe concentration of sugar in the blood decreases, the secretion of this substance increases. Its mechanism of action is that it affects the liver cells. Due to this, part of the reserve supply of glucose is released and enters the bloodstream. A similar mechanism of action is observed in the production of another contrainsular hormone - adrenaline. Glucocorticoids are secreted in the adrenal cortex. With a lack of sugar in the blood, these hormones contribute to its synthesis at the cellular level, that is, they lead to the formation of glucose from amino acids. Thyroid hormones enhance the action of adrenaline. Somatotropin has a contra-insular effect only in large quantities, more often in childhood (during the growth period).
Interaction of pancreatic hormones
The pancreas is the main organ of the endocrine system that affects the metabolism of carbohydrates. It performs both endocrine and secretory functions. Anatomically, the endocrine part of the pancreas is the tail. It contains formations such as the islets of Langerhans. The cells of these anatomical regions are responsible for the secretion of several types of hormones. Some of the islets secrete insulin. Other cells produce the hormone "glucagon". The level of glucose affects the formation and release into the blood of a substance. A high concentration of sugar serves as a signal for the production of insulin. Normally, this hormone maintains the level of glucose at the proper level, preventing it from rising. Insulin antagonist is glucagon, which, on the contrary, is responsible forrelease of sugar into the blood. The well-coordinated work of pancreatic hormones ensures normal carbohydrate metabolism in the body. If its secretory function is impaired for any reason, other organs of the endocrine system come to the rescue.
Production of contrainsular hormones by the adrenal glands
Insulin antagonists are actively produced in the adrenal glands. These organs have 2 layers. Each of them produces hormones. In the adrenal cortex, glucocorticoids and androgens have a contra-insular effect. The former contribute to an increase in sugar levels in two ways. A representative of this group is the hormone cortisol. It helps to increase the number of enzymes needed to convert amino acids into glucose. The next effect of cortisol is the ability to remove "building materials" for sugars from muscle tissue. Thus, this hormone accelerates the process of glucononegesis. In addition to cortisol, androgens are produced in the cortex. These hormones are classified as steroids. Their main function is the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, they affect the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. In the adrenal medulla, the contra-insular hormone, adrenaline, is synthesized. When it is released into the blood, an increase in glucose concentration occurs.
Adrenaline: influence on carbohydrate metabolism
The hormone adrenaline is known not only to doctors. Many people know that this substance is released into the blood during severe stress or fright. Indeed, adrenaline is often associated with fear. A typical reaction to the release of this hormone is motor activity, increased heart rate, dilated pupils. Also, this substance is synthesized in the laboratory and used in medicine. In addition to activating cardiac activity, adrenaline has an effect on carbohydrate metabolism, that is, it has a contra-insular effect. The mechanism of its action is carried out in the following ways:
- It promotes the acceleration of gluconeogenesis.
- Affects the breakdown of glycogen in skeletal muscles. This action of adrenaline is more pronounced.
It is worth noting that in conditions of emotional rest, the hormone does not lead to an increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood. Also, its release does not increase with hyperglycemia. This is where its mechanism of action differs from that of glucagon. The signal for the release of adrenaline into the blood is emotional excitement, stress.
Testosterone: functions in the body
Testosterone is a contrainsular hormone that is produced by the male gonads. Also, a small amount of this biological steroid is synthesized in the adrenal cortex. The main functions of testosterone are the following effects: muscle mass increase, bone growth, sperm activation and erythropoiesis. In addition, the hormone enhances all metabolic processes in the body, including carbohydrate. According to the statistics given by scientists, men who have a high content of testosterone in the blood are less prone to diabetes and obesity.
Which onecontrainsular hormones acts stronger?
Definitely it is impossible to answer the question, what is the most powerful contra-insular hormone. All of these biological substances affect the increase in blood glucose and increase the metabolism of carbohydrates. The action of each of these hormones is opposite to the effect of insulin. However, which substance is the antagonist to a greater extent depends on the concentration of a particular compound. Under normal conditions, the most powerful hormone can be called glucagon. With an increase in thyroid function, this substance becomes thyroxin, with a tumor of the adrenal glands - cortisol or adrenaline.
