Editing Adrenal cortex (section)

== Production ==
The adrenal cortex produces a number of different [[corticosteroid]] [[hormone]]s.

=== Mineralocorticoids ===
{{Main|Mineralocorticoids}}
The primary [[mineralocorticoid]], [[aldosterone]], is produced in the adrenocortical [[zona glomerulosa]] by the action of the enzyme [[aldosterone synthase]] (also known as [[Aldosterone synthase|CYP11B2]]).<ref name="pmid1775135" /><ref name="pmid8333830" /> Aldosterone is largely responsible for the long-term [[regulation of blood pressure]].<ref name="Marieb" /> Aldosterone effects on the [[distal convoluted tubule]] and [[Collecting duct system|collecting duct of the kidney]] where it causes increased reabsorption of sodium and increased excretion of both potassium (by principal cells) and hydrogen ions (by intercalated cells of the collecting duct).<ref name="Marieb" /> Sodium retention is also a response of the distal colon, and sweat glands to aldosterone receptor stimulation. Although sustained production of aldosterone requires persistent [[calcium]] entry through low-voltage activated [[Calcium channel|Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels]], isolated zona glomerulosa cells are considered nonexcitable, with recorded membrane voltages that are too hyperpolarized to permit [[Calcium|Ca<sup>2+</sup>]] channels entry.<ref name="pmid22546854" />

=== Glucocorticoids ===
{{Main|Glucocorticoids}}
Glucocorticoids are produced mainly in the [[zona fasciculata]].<ref name=":0" />
 
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are necessary for life.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cain |first1=Derek W. |last2=Cidlowski |first2=John A. |date=2017-02-13 |title=Immune regulation by glucocorticoids |journal=Nature Reviews Immunology |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=233–247 |doi=10.1038/nri.2017.1 |issn=1474-1733 |pmc=9761406 |pmid=28192415}}</ref> They play a role in numerous physiological responses including; metabolism, immune response, mood, cognitive functions, cardiovascular function, and reproduction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Timmermans |first1=Steven |last2=Souffriau |first2=Jolien |last3=Libert |first3=Claude |date=2019-07-04 |title=A General Introduction to Glucocorticoid Biology |journal=Frontiers in Immunology |language=English |volume=10 |page=1545 |doi=10.3389/fimmu.2019.01545 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-3224 |pmc=6621919 |pmid=31333672}}</ref> Glucocorticoids are also widely prescribed as medication to treat numerous conditions such as autoimmune diseases and lymphoproliferative diseases. <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=CHARMANDARI |first1=EVANGELIA |last2=KINO |first2=TOMOSHIGE |last3=CHROUSOS |first3=GEORGE P. |date=June 2004 |title=Glucocorticoids and Their Actions: An Introduction |url=https://login.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?qurl=https://doi.org%2f10.1196%2fannals.1321.001 |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=1024 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.1196/annals.1321.001 |pmid=15265770 |bibcode=2004NYASA1024....1C |issn=0077-8923|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The main glucocorticoid in humans is cortisol.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Manenschijn |first1=Laura |last2=van den Akker |first2=Erica L. T. |last3=Lamberts |first3=Steven W. J. |last4=van Rossum |first4=Elisabeth F. C. |date=October 2009 |title=Clinical features associated with glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms. An overview |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19906240/ |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1179 |pages=179–198 |doi=10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05013.x |issn=1749-6632 |pmid=19906240}}</ref> 

=== Androgens ===
{{Main|Androgens}}
They are produced mainly in the [[zona reticularis]].<ref name=":0" /> The most important androgens include:
* [[Testosterone]]: a hormone with a wide variety of effects, ranging from enhancing muscle mass and stimulation of [[cell growth]] to the development of the [[secondary sex characteristic]]s.
* [[Dihydrotestosterone]] (DHT): a [[metabolite]] of testosterone, and a more potent androgen than testosterone in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.
* [[Androstenedione]] (Andro): an androgenic steroid produced by the [[testes]], adrenal cortex, and [[ovaries]]. While [[androstenedione]]s are converted metabolically to testosterone and other [[androgen]]s, they are also the parent structure of [[estrone]].
* [[Dehydroepiandrosterone]] (DHEA): It is the primary precursor of natural [[estrogen]]s. DHEA is also called [[dehydroisoandrosterone]] or [[dehydroandrosterone]]. The reticularis also produces [[Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate|DHEA-sulfate]] due to the actions of a [[sulfotransferase]], [[SULT2A1]].<ref name="pmid17945481">{{cite journal |vauthors=Rainey WE, Nakamura Y |title=Regulation of the adrenal androgen biosynthesis |journal=J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. |volume=108 |issue=3–5 |pages=281–6 |date=February 2008 |pmid=17945481 |pmc=2699571 |doi=10.1016/j.jsbmb.2007.09.015}}</ref>