Hormone Podcast on Norepinephrine

Transcript:

Hi welcome to the show. Today we will be talking about Norepinephrine also known as Noradrenline. Norepinephrine is the next lowest homolog of  epinephrine and is a hormone. The difference is that epinephrine in an epi-pen is adrenaline and has a methyl group. Norepinephrine doesn’t have a methyl group. Instead Norepinephrine includes the attachment of hydrogen to the nitrogen group. The molecular formula is C8H11NO3. It is a water-soluble hormone because it is a catecholamine. A catecholamine is an organic compound with benzene and two hydroxyl groups.

Norepinephrine is synthesized from tyrosine, which is found in eggs, meat and dairy products. It is produced in the adrenal gland. This gland is located above the kidney, which means it is in endocrine system. The norepinephrine transporter or NET regulates the concentration of this hormone. Norepinephrine binds and activates the beta-adrenergic receptors in the cell membrane. The feedback loop for this is negative. It is negative because the capacity of pre-synaptic adrenergic receptors is higher than the post synaptic capacity. Norepinephrine is released from the brain in a nucleus in a stem called the locus cereus. The pathway for this hormone is side to side in the brain, the cerebral cortex, the spinal cord (which is the synaptic system) and limbic system. This hormone is released under stress. It affects the part of the brain that controls concentration and responding actions. It releases blood sugars and fats, increases blood pressure, suppresses neuro-inflamation, increases blood clotting, increases oxygen in the brain and increases muscle tension. This long list of functions contributes to the flight or fight instinct. The hormone is prepping you to react in a harmful or stressful event for survival.

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