Cited by 126Stress Responses and CortisolAdrenal Hormones and DisordersMedicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds

Stress and the adrenocortical control of epinephrine synthesis

Wurtman, Richard J.·2002·Metabolism

Abstract

Psychologic states produced by environmental or physiologic stresses are usually associated with hypersecretion of adrenal hormones, particularly epinephrine and the glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone in humans or corticosterone in rats). A common mechanism links the secretion of these hormones, even though the adrenal medulla and cortex have different embryologic origins and biochemical properties and very different mechanisms controlling their secretory activities, ie, a cholinergic nervous input stimulates medullary secretion while a hormone, corticotropin (ACTH), activates secretion from the cortex. This mechanism is made possible by an intra-adrenal portal vascular system, which provides the medulla with uniquely high concentrations of glucocorticoids. These high concentrations are needed to induce the medullary enzyme, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), which controls the synthesis of epinephrine from norepinephrine. By suppressing glucocorticoid secretion, pituitary failure compromises epinephrine synthesis and decreases the rate at which epinephrine is secreted; in contrast, prolonged chronic stress can enhance epinephrine synthesis and secretion within the adrenal, the brain, or both organs. This control mechanism could be involved in the long-term consequences of stress.

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Crossref · 10.1053/meta.2002.33185

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Authors
Wurtman, R. J.
Affiliations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Corresponding author
Wurtman, Richard J.
Venue
Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-06
Volume
51
Issue
6
Pages
11-14
ISSN
0026-0495 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2030689507
Cited by
126
References
15
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
Keywords
epinephrine synthesis, stress, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, norepinephrine, glucocorticoids, ACTH, cholinergic innervation, pituitary failure, chronic stress, cortisol, corticosterone
MeSH terms
Adrenal Cortex, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Animals, Brain, Epinephrine, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase, Pituitary Gland, Stress, Physiological

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