Contransulant hormone: mechanism of action, species

The study of hormonal regulation of our body is engaged in science - endocrinology. In addition, this mechanism of action of all biological compounds is enclosed in such a field of medicine as biochemistry. Both these sciences are extremely important, since hormones exert many different influences necessary for normal functioning. These substances are responsible for all kinds of metabolism in the body (carbohydrate, protein, fat). Thanks to this, the distribution of the energy of useful substances necessary to sustain life takes place. One of the most important hormones is insulin. As is known, with its insufficiency, there is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of diabetes mellitus. In addition, no less important, are the contrinsular hormones. They are also needed to ensure the metabolism. In addition, each of these biological compounds fulfills its function.

Counterinsulle hormone - what is it?

As you know, a hormone insulin is needed to monitor the level of glucose. If it is released in small amounts or not perceived by receptors, then a person develops diabetes. Also, you should know that not only is the defect dangerous, but also the excess of this biological substance. To inactivate it in the body, there is a counterinsulant 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 the "body" of the body. The places of production of these biological substances include pancreas and thyroid gland, adrenal glands, brain and testicles.

Purpose

Contransulant hormone is a substance that is necessary to provide carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Its action is aimed at maintaining a normal level of glucose. In addition, each counterinsulant hormone is responsible for its own function, not related to metabolism. The normal level of glucose in the blood is from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol. If insulin is responsible for ensuring that the sugar concentration does not increase, then its antagonists are necessary to maintain the lower limit of this indicator. With a decrease in glucose in the blood, a dangerous state for the body - hypoglycemia. It is characterized by a decline in strength, a decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia and tremor. If a person does not help on time, then hypoglycemia can lead to a coma. To prevent this, hormones that correct the action of insulin are necessary. There are several such substances in the body.

Varieties

Contrinulsory hormones are biological substances that are released by various endocrine glands. In addition to its own function, each of these compounds is able to regulate carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, in order to maintain the level of glycemia in the norm, the action of all these substances is necessary. Biological compounds that are insulin antagonists are divided into the following groups:

1. Hormones of the thyroid gland. These include thyroxine.
2. Substances that are secreted by the cortical and medullar layers of the adrenal glands. Representatives of this group are cortisol and adrenaline.
3. Growth hormone. It is excreted in the pituitary gland.
4. Contransulant hormone secreted in the endocrine part of the pancreas. This biological compound is glucagon.
5. Testosterone. It is produced both in the cortical substance of the adrenal glands, and in the male sex glands - testicles.

Each of these hormones is secreted by the "own" gland of internal secretion. Nevertheless, they are all regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary system located in the brain.

Contrainural hormones: the mechanism of action in the body

Despite the fact that all insulin antagonists affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, the mechanism of their action is different. Immediate influence on the level of glucose in the blood is glucagon. This hormone is produced by the cells of the pancreas constantly. However, if the concentration of sugar in the blood decreases, the secretion of this substance is enhanced. The mechanism of its action is that it affects the hepatic cells. Due to this part of the reserve of glucose is released and enters the bloodstream. A similar mechanism of action is observed in the development of another counterinsulant hormone, adrenaline. In the cortical substance of the adrenal glands are allocated glucocorticoids. With a lack of sugar in the blood, these hormones contribute to its synthesis at the cellular level, that is, lead to the formation of glucose from the amino acids. Thyroid hormones increase the effect of adrenaline. Somatotropin has a counterinsular effect only in large numbers, more often in childhood (during growth).

Interaction of pancreatic hormones

The pancreas is the main organ of the endocrine system that affects the metabolism of carbohydrates. It performs both an endocrine and secretory function. The anatomically endocrine part of the pancreas is the tail. It has such formations as islets of Langerhans. The cells of these anatomical regions are responsible for the secretion of several kinds of hormones. Part of the islets secrete insulin. Other cells produce a hormone called "glucagon". The formation and release into the blood of a substance is affected by the level of glucose. A high concentration of sugar is a signal for insulin production. Normally, this hormone maintains glucose levels at the proper level, not allowing it to rise. The insulin antagonist is glucagon, which, on the contrary, is responsible for the release of sugar into the blood. The harmonious work of pancreatic hormones ensures normal carbohydrate metabolism in the body. If her secretory function is broken for some reason, other organs of the endocrine system come to help.

Products of adrenal hormones

Insulin antagonists are actively produced in the adrenal glands. These organs have 2 layers. In each of them hormones are formed. In the cortex of the adrenals, glucocorticoids and androgens have a counterinsular effect. The first contribute to the increase in the level of sugars in two ways. The 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 output "building materials" for sugars from muscle tissue. Thus, this hormone accelerates the process of gluconeonegease. In addition to cortisol, cortical substances produce androgens. These hormones are related to steroid substances. Their main function is the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, they affect the exchange of proteins and carbohydrates. The adrenal medulla is synthesized in the adrenal medulla. When it is released into the blood, the concentration of glucose increases.

Adrenaline: effects on carbohydrate metabolism

The hormone adrenaline is known not only to doctors. Many people know that this substance is thrown into the blood with a lot of stress or fright. Indeed, adrenaline is often associated with fear. A typical reaction to the release of this hormone is motor activity, increased heart rhythm, dilated pupils. Also this substance is synthesized in the laboratory and used in medicine. In addition to activation of cardiac activity, adrenaline is affected by carbohydrate metabolism, that is, it has a contrinular effect. The mechanism of its operation is carried out in the following ways:

1. It promotes the acceleration of gluconeogenesis.
2. Affects the disintegration of glycogen in the skeletal musculature. 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. In this, its mechanism of action is different from glucagon. The signal for adrenaline to enter the blood is emotional excitement, stress.

Testosterone: Functions in the body

Testosterone is a hormone counterinsulant, which is produced by the male sex glands. Also, a small amount of this biological steroid is synthesized in the cortical substance of the adrenal glands. The main functions of testosterone are the following effects: an increase in muscle mass, bone growth, activation of sperm and erythropoiesis. In addition, the hormone enhances all metabolic processes in the body, including carbohydrate. According to statistics, given by scientists, men who have a high content of testosterone in their blood are less susceptible to diabetes and obesity.

Which of the contrinsular hormones is stronger?

Unequivocally it is impossible to answer the question, what is the most powerful counterinsulant hormone. All these biological substances affect the increase in glucose in the blood and enhance the metabolism of carbohydrates. The action of each of these hormones is opposite to the effect of insulin. Nevertheless, which substance is the antagonist to a greater extent, depends on the concentration of a compound. Under normal conditions, the most powerful hormone can be called glucagon. With the strengthening of the thyroid gland, this substance becomes thyroxin, with adrenal tumors - cortisol or adrenaline.