2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Norepinephrine, also known as norepinephrine is an important hormone that, along with adrenaline, is formed in the core of the adrenal glands.
Norepinephrine has an action similar to the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system - it accelerates nerve contractions, suppresses the movement of the stomach and intestines, increases blood pressure. Norepinephrine causes blood vessels to constrict, which leads to increased resistance.
Functions of norepinephrine
Norepinephrine and adrenaline are the most common and produced in the body catecholamines, with the help of which the sympathetic nervous system controls the metabolism in the human body. Norepinephrine is the main mediator of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system.
Norepinephrine together with adrenaline accelerate metabolism and promote the conversion of glycogen in the liver into glucose. In this way they increase its concentration in the blood. Under stress, norepinephrine increases.
The physiological action of norepinephrine consists in increasing the peripheral resistance of the circulatory system; increases the state of wakefulness, which leads to insomnia; increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
With the development of a stressful situation, the level of adrenaline gradually decreases, and on the other hand the level of norepinephrine increases. The physiological effects of these two neurotransmitters on the body can be likened to adaptive responses to an impending battle or a panicked escape from danger.
Together with norepinephrine and adrenaline in a state of stress from the adrenal gland secretes another hormone from the group of glucocorticoids, which is known as cortisol. It prepares the body to deal with the physiological consequences of stress.
The general stimuli for the secretion of hormones from the core of the adrenal glands are expressed in hypoglycemia, exercise and emotional weakness.
Norepinephrine affects the state of wakefulness, and in case of stress it is produced in increased quantities. The result is spinning in bed all night and inability to fall asleep. Very often people do not suspect the cause of insomnia and for a moment do not suspect the cause of the roots in this hormone.
Scientists have discovered a very interesting fact about gambling addiction and norepinephrine. They believe that the injection of can save us from hasty actions on the gaming table norepinephrine.
Another interesting fact is that of the about 30 neurotransmitters discovered so far, scientists have found a link between three of them with clinical depression. These are dopamine, and serotonin norepinephrine. They function in those parts of the brain that control reactions to stress, appetite, emotions and sexual desire.
Norepinephrine levels
The elevated level norepinephrine can cause high blood pressure, high blood glucose, increased energy production in the body, increased heart rate and other conditions.
Constant high levels norepinephrine may be due to various causes and diseases such as amphetamine intake, stress, adrenal adenoma, adrenal hyperfunction, adrenal cancer and others. Low levels of norepinephrine have been linked to depression.
Taking norepinephrine
In the form of a drug norepinephrine is considered for the treatment of arterial hypotension as a result of cardiogenic, postoperative and traumatic shock.
It stimulates specific receptors, which leads to an increase in peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure. The drug should not be taken during pregnancy, atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels and cardiac decompensation.
