Catecholamines and Glucocorticoids

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Catecholamines
Glucocorticoids
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In psychology and biology, stress is a physical or environmental factor that induces an organism’s reaction to fast-changing environmental conditions. In this regard, biochemical changes, primarily related to the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, play a critical role in regulating physiological responses to stressors. The main substances preparing the body for proximate danger are cortisol and catecholamines secreted by the adrenal glands. This paper aims to describe the function of biochemicals, namely, catecholamines and glucocorticoids that regulate the stress response.

Catecholamines

Catecholamines are physiologically active substances that serve as mediators and hormones, the main regulatory functions of which are conducted by the adrenal medulla and specialized adrenergic neurons. Catecholamines comprise epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin that trigger the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulating blood pressure by contracting the smooth muscle via alpha-1 receptors (Paravati et al., 2020). Additionally, catecholamines’ musculoskeletal actions entail increased heart muscle contractility through beta-1 receptors, pupillary dilator shortening via alpha-1 receptors, and smooth muscle relaxation in bronchioles or the gastrointestinal tract (Paravati et al., 2020). Norepinephrine and epinephrine also control metabolism, increasing blood glucose levels and decreasing insulin secretion.

Glucocorticoids

In addition to catecholamines, glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone, also have substantial significance in an organism’s reaction to stress. The regulation and synthesis of glucocorticoids are executed by adrenocorticotropic hormone activated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) (McCance & Huether, 2019). Glucocorticoids increase systemic blood pressure, blood glucose levels, glycogen synthesis in the liver and skeletal muscles, protein catabolism, and fat anabolism. They also inhibit the activity of lymphoid cells, phagocytic activity of leukocytes, and the maturation and differentiation of both T- and B-subpopulations of lymphocytes, among others (McCance & Huether, 2019). In this regard, Bereshchenk et al. (2018) indicate that synthetic glucocorticoids are the most prescript medicine for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases’ treatment due to their powerful immune-suppressive activity. Thus, glucocorticoids have an anti-stress and anti-shock effect and even can be used for short-term pain relief.

Conclusion

Catecholamines and glucocorticoids are widely applied in nursing practice, especially in critical care. For example, considering my own experience, patients often use epinephrine to manage allergic reactions, including asthma or to restore the cardiac rhythm. Glucocorticoids are also employed for long-term asthma prevention and treating allergy-related manifestations, especially anaphylactic shock. Based on the assignments’ findings, I think that these hormones can also help treat complications associated with COVID-19 since this virus induces a potent immune response that may eventually be fatal to patients.

References

Bereshchenko, O., Bruscoli, S., & Riccardi, C. (2018). Glucocorticoids, sex hormones, and immunity.Frontiers in Immunology, 9(1332),1-10. Web.

McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2018). Pathophysiology-E-book: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8^th ed.). Elsevier.

Paravati, S., Rosani, A., & Warrington, S. J. (2018). Physiology, catecholamines.StatPearls. Web.

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Catecholamines and Glucocorticoids

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