LABORATORY REPORT

Laboratory report

Laboratory report

Introduction

Cortisol is a steroid and one of the primary stress hormones. Production is stimulated within the endocrine system's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Secretion comes from the adrenal glands, which sit just above the kidneys.

Ironically named the master “stress” hormone, cortisol regulates the way your body uses various fuel sources and is essential for recouping energy following stress. Normal cortisol hormone levels tend to follow a 24-hour circadian rhythm. The lowest level being at night during sleep that gradually increase to when you need to wake up and get moving. The high cortisol levels present in early morning rapidly drop off and then continue to decline for the remainder of the day.It is a vital steroid hormone that influences the metabolism is secreted by the outer layer (cortex), the adrenal glands. The main action - adaptogenic, i.e. response to increased demand for physical, mental work and resistance to stress. Causes increased breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the tissues, increasing the level of cellular metabolism. Enhances the synthesizing function of the liver, contributes to vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure. Have anti-inflammatory and ant allergic effects.

When fasting, for example, it maintains normal blood glucose levels, while operating or emotional shock prevents the fall in blood pressure below a dangerous level. Due to the fact that in large doses has anti-inflammatory action of cortisol, a hormone (or its synthetic derivatives - prednisone, prednisolone) is widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases characterized by intense inflammation. In addition, it is used for allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases. Physicians prefer synthetic derivatives of cortisol, which do not cause high blood pressure and water retention and salt in the body. There is a "circadian" cycle: during the day the maximum content is observed in the morning (8-00 am) and afternoon (16-00), and the second maximum is less than the first, and two minima - in the 24-00 and 12-00. Therefore, the investigation of adrenal function is necessary to carry out research, at least twice.

The nervous system responds too many external factors (including stress), sending nerve impulses to the special section of the brain - the hypothalamus. In response to these signals the hypothalamus secretes CRH, which carries blood to the so-called the portal system directly to the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain), and stimulates the secretion of corticotrophin them (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH).The latter enters the bloodstream and, once in the adrenal gland, in turn, stimulates the production and secretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex.

The body of a healthy man produces daily about 25 mg of cortisol, the adrenal glands during stress can produce an order of magnitude larger? In the bloodstream cortisol is associated with corticosteroid-binding globulin - a carrier protein that is synthesized in the liver. This protein delivers cortisol to the target cells and serves as a reservoir of cortisol in the blood. The half-life (time required for excretion of half the initial amount) of cortisol in blood is approximately 90 ...