CORTICOTROPIN & POSTPRANDIAL PRESENTATION

By: Frank LemondBiology 120

7/17/10

CORTICOTROPIN

• What = corticotropin? The adrenal glands, aka the suprarenal glands, are small triangular glands located on top of each kidney. An adrenal gland has 2 parts: the outer region = known as the adrenal cortex & the inner region = called the adrenal medulla. Both parts of the adrenal glands, the cortex & medulla, perform different jobs.

CORTICOTROPIN (continued)

• The adrenal glands work with the pituitary gland & the hypothalamus in the following ways:

• 1. the hypothalamus makes corticotropin-releasing hormones, which stimulate the pituitary gland.

• 2. the pituitary gland, in turn, makes corticotropin hormones, which stimulate the adrenal glands to make corticosteroid hormones.

II. POSTPRANDIAL

• POSTPRANDIAL literally means after eating a meal. This = opposed to preprandial (before a meal).

• This word = sometimes used in relationship to blood sugar (glucose) levels, usually measured 2 hours before & after eating in a postprandial sugar test. The American Diabetes Assn. recommends a postprandial sugar level under 180 mg/dl & a preprandial plasma sugar between 90-130 mg/dl. This = not, however, the only context in which this word = used.

II. POSTPRANDIAL (continued)

• Postprandial hyperglycemia = high blood sugar after a meal. It can be checked in a postprandial sugar test.

• Postprandial dip = a mild decrease in blood sugar after eating a large meal, possibly leading to sleepiness.

• Postprandial hypotension = a drastic decline in blood pressure which occurs after eating.

II. POSTPRANDIAL(continued)

• Postprandial regurgitation = a unique symptom of rumination syndrome.

• Postprandial thermogenesis = heat production due to metabolism after a meal, temporarily increasing the basal metabolic rate.