Central Regulation Of The Pituitary Adrenal Complex

This monograph gives an up-to-date account of the original results of the author's research in the complex field of the central control over relationships which have become established in the course of evolution between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The author has limited the scope of this research on logical grounds to the study of central chemically reactive structures in the regulation of the adrenal glands through the intermediary of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. Through the author's skill and expertise in the analysis of the extensive and sometimes complicated literature he has successfully undertaken a differential approach to the analysis of the concrete role of catecholamines, acetylcholine, and serotonin in relation to the endocrine system. The vast range of experimental investigations and results of clinical observations published in the last few decades have revealed the humoral neurosecretory factors of the hypothalamus as impor tant regulators of the princ ipal functions of the pituitary gland and, through it, of the cyclic activity of the peripheral group of endocrine glands. Until recently the region of the cascade of regulatory in fluences preceding the hypothalamus was terra incognita. It is for this reason that Evgenii Vladimirovich Naumenko's monograph ac quires its special importance for the neurophysiologist, for its author has striven, by the use of experimental methods, to ascertain in detail the nature of influences which for a long time were in terpreted as the general dogmas of an abstract "nervism.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis controls reactions to stress and regulates various body processes such as digestion, the immune system, mood and sexuality, and energy usage. This volume focuses on the role it plays in the immune system and provides substantive experimental and clinical data to support current understanding in the field, and potential applications of this knowledge in the treatment of disease. * Evidence presented in this book suggests that the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems form the Neuroendoimmune Supersystem, which integrates all the biological functions of higher organisms both in health and disease for their entire life cycle. * Contributors include both the scientists who initiated the work on the HPA axis and on the autonomic nervous system, and those who joined the field later.

The neuroendocrine system plays a pivotal role in the control of growth, puberty, reproduction, and intermediate metabolism. The last decades have witnessed rapid progress in the understanding of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in neuroendocrine function, paralleled by dramatic improvements in imaging techniques.

This book describes the crucial scientific interface between central neurotransmitter regulation and interacting hormonal pathways. It provides a review of the previously published literature on neuroendocrine mechanisms and brings the reader up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. Chapters cover the following areas: -- cellular interactions of neurotransmitters to induce specific release of a peptide hormone -- the role of opioids in the regulation of reproductive hormones and the possible implication of endorphins and enkephalins in developmental endocrinology -- immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide as a tool to distinguish the possible role of the peripheral nervous system from that of central nervous control in stress and pathological situations -- developmental endocrinology and neurohormonal control of the ovarian cycle.

By stimulating adrenal gland and corticosteroid synthesis, the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) plays a central role in response to stress. In this Research Topic, a particular attention has been given to the recent developments on adrenocortical zonation; the growth-promoting activities of ACTH; the various steps involved in acute and chronic regulation of steroid secretion by ACTH, including the effect of ACTH on circadian rhythms of glucocorticoid secretion. The Research Topic also reviews progress and challenges surrounding the properties of ACTH binding to the MC2 receptor (MC2R), including the importance of melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) in MC2R expression and function, the various intracellular signaling cascades, which involve not only protein kinase A, the key mediator of ACTH action, but also phosphatases, phosphodiesterases, ion channels and the cytoskeleton. The importance of the proteins involved in the cell detoxification is also considered, in particular the effect that ACTH has on protection against reactive oxygen species generated during steroidogenesis. The impact of the cellular microenvironment, including local production of ACTH is discussed, both as an important factor in the maintenance of homeostasis, but also in pathological situations, such as severe inflammation. Finally, the Research Topic reviews the role that the pituitary-adrenal axis may have in the development of metabolic disorders. In addition to mutations or alterations of expression of genes encoding components of the steroidogenesis and signaling pathways, chronic stress and sleep disturbance are both associated with hyperactivity of the adrenal gland. A resulting effect is increased glucocorticoid secretion inducing food intake and weight gain, which, in turn, leads to insulin and leptin resistance. These aspects are described in detail in this Research Topic by key investigators in the field. Many of the aspects addressed in this Research Topic still represent a stimulus for future studies, their outcome aimed at providing evidence of the central position occupied by the adrenal cortex in many metabolic functions when its homeostasis is disrupted. An in-depth investigation of the mechanisms underlying these pathways will be invaluable in developing new therapeutic tools and strategies.

A concise and innovative account of clinical neuroendocrine disorders and the key principles underlying their diagnosis and management.

Stress in Health and Disease presents the principal pathways mediating the response to a stressor. It discusses the clinical background of cross-resistance and treatment with stress-hormones. It addresses the diseases of adaptation or stress diseases, diagnostic indicators, and functional changes. Some of the topics covered in the book are the concept of heterostasis; stressors and conditioning agents; morphology of frostbite; characteristics manifestations of stress; catecholamines and their derivatives; various hormones and hormone-like substances; FFA, triglycerides and lipoproteins; morphologic changes; and hypothalamo-hypophyseal system . The gastrointestinal diseases of adaptation are covered. The schizophrenia and related psychoses is discussed. The text describes the manic-depressive disease and senile psychosis. A study of the experimental cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric diseases is presented. A chapter is devoted to the diseases of adaptation in animals. Another section focuses on the shift in adenohypophyseal activity and catatoxic hormones. The book can provide useful information to scientists, doctors, students, and researchers.