Insulin deficiency in human beings causes diabetes. Excess of which hormone causes an increase in blood pressure?

Adrenal Cortex hormones

The correct answer is option 1. Adrenal Cortex hormones.

Let us delve into how excess hormones from the adrenal cortex can lead to an increase in blood pressure:

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

The adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands, produces several important hormones, including aldosterone and cortisol. These hormones play key roles in various physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation.

Aldosterone

Production: Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex.

Function:

Sodium Retention: Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of sodium ions from the urine back into the bloodstream. This process also leads to water reabsorption because water follows sodium osmotically.

Potassium Excretion: It also promotes the excretion of potassium ions into the urine.

Impact on Blood Pressure:

Increased Blood Volume: By increasing sodium and water retention, aldosterone elevates blood volume. The higher blood volume exerts greater pressure on the walls of blood vessels, resulting in increased blood pressure.

Hypertension: Excessive aldosterone, a condition known as hyperaldosteronism, can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure). This can occur due to adrenal tumors (aldosteronoma) or adrenal hyperplasia.

Cortisol

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex.

Function:

Metabolism: Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, including glucose production and protein and fat metabolism.

Cardiovascular Function: It has a permissive effect on cardiovascular function. This means that cortisol enhances the effect of catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline) on blood vessels, which helps to maintain blood pressure.

Impact on Blood Pressure:

Vascular Responsiveness: Cortisol increases the sensitivity of blood vessels to catecholamines, which leads to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and, consequently, increased blood pressure.

Cushing’s Syndrome: Excessive cortisol, as seen in Cushing’s syndrome, can result in high blood pressure along with other symptoms such as weight gain, glucose intolerance, and osteoporosis.

Other Hormones

Steroid Hormones: This category includes both adrenal cortex hormones and sex hormones. While some steroid hormones (like aldosterone and cortisol) influence blood pressure, not all do. For instance, sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone have different primary effects, though they can also indirectly affect blood pressure.

Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormones, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), primarily regulate metabolism. Excess thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) can lead to hypertension by increasing metabolic rate and heart rate, but they do not directly influence blood pressure like aldosterone or cortisol.

Corpus Luteum Hormones: The corpus luteum, which forms after ovulation in the ovary, primarily produces progesterone. While progesterone plays roles in reproductive health, its impact on blood pressure is less direct compared to adrenal cortex hormones.

Summary

Aldosterone and cortisol, produced by the adrenal cortex, are the primary hormones affecting blood pressure.

Aldosterone increases blood volume through sodium and water retention, leading to higher blood pressure.

Cortisol enhances the effect of catecholamines and promotes vascular responsiveness, contributing to elevated blood pressure when in excess.

Therefore, the excess production of adrenal cortex hormones, especially aldosterone and cortisol, leads to an increase in blood pressure.