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HORMONES
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How Steroid Hormones Work:
Source: BIOU301: Genetics and Molecular Biology at Northeastern University. Introduction to Signaling Lecture. Oct. 23, 2007.
Class Names:
Estrogens-Maintain size and function of female sex organs.
Androgens-Maintain size and function of male sex organs.
Source: Brown, G. A. (2006). Testosterone Prohormone Supplements. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 38, 1451-1461.
Types:
Cortisol —Falls under a group of hormones called glucocorticoids that are secreted by the adrenal cortex. It is a catabolic hormone that breaks down proteins, inhibits protein synthesis, and synthesizes glucose to increase blood sugar levels. It is increased during intense exercise and when glycogen levels drop.
Glucagon —A hormone that is released by the pancreas to elevate blood sugar levels by gluconeogenesis (proteins are broken down and converted into glucose), lipolysis (breakdown of fat), and by signaling the liver to breakdown glycogen to glucose. Usually elevated during exercise when blood sugar levels are low.
Growth Hormone —An anabolic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates bone and muscle growth. It also breaks down stored fat in a process known as lipolysis, and it inhibits the uptake of glucose in certain cells.
Insulin —A hormone that is secreted by the pancreas in order to lower the blood glucose in the body. Stimulates the uptake of glucose from muscle and fat cells and stimulates the storage of glucose as glycogen in the muscle and liver cells.
Insulin-like growth factor—A hormone that becomes stimulated as a result of muscle damage. The hormone influences satellite cell activation and protein synthesis, resulting in muscle growth.
Testosterone —A hormone that is responsible for many secondary male sexual characteristics, number of red blood cells, decreased body fat, and muscle growth produced by the testes. Free Testosterone can be used by your muscles, however if the testosterone levels are too high hormones such as SHBG can bind to it thus making the hormone useless. It can also be converted into estrogen or DHT causing baldness and increased water weight. There have been studies that have shown a relationship between the amount of testosterone in the body and prostate cancer.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) —A hormone that stimulates muscle growth by increasing the number of capillaries in your body and increasing muscle oxygenation.
Source: Ivy, PhD, John , and Robert Portman, PhD. Nutrient Timing. North Bergen: Basic Health Publications Inc., 2004. 165-173.
Leptin—A protein hormone that is released in response to the amount of fat in the body. Controls appetite by signaling the brain that it is full (Insel, P., Turner, Rd, R. E., & Ross, D. (2004). Proteins and Amino Acids. Nutrition (pp. 204-243). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.).
Last Updated:
May 17, 2008
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