Clinical Chemistry Blog Notes Group 1c-A: Let’s talk about Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormones!

Hello human, I am Jed B. Dula from Angeles University Foundation studying Medical Technology and welcome to the world of Endocrinology, Toxicology & Drug Testing. In this blog I made, we will talk about different topics like hormones, poisons, medicines and many other more. But today we will focus on hormones. Hormones are special secretions that released in different parts of our body. These act as a messenger in our body by passing message through different cells to other cells. These also regulate the metabolism.

First of all, do you know why this guy,

after eating this,

can become this?

It is because some mushrooms (that is not poisonous) have nutrients like Potassium, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, etc. We need nutrients in our body because nutrients are important in our metabolism. When the nutrients break down, it will become energy which we will need in our daily routine of life. But didn’t you ask yourself, “Who controls the metabolism in my body?”

One function of Endocrine System is controlling the metabolism in the body. The specific gland that does this job is the Thyroid. Thyroid gland secretes hormones that manage the metabolic rate of the body cells.

There is this protein that functions in the endocrine which quickens the production of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Prolactin from the adenohypophysis. This also help in making different pituitary hormones, specifically prolactin. It is also originate in hypothalamus, brain, thyroid gland (C cells), pancreas (Beta cells), myocardium, prostate, testis and spinal cord.

Want to know what is that protein?

Click this

Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (also known as Thyroliberin) or TRH for short. TRH has a tripeptide structure that compose of pyroglutamyl-histidyl-proline-amide ((pyro)Glu-His-Pro-NH_2).

Figure 1 Chemical structure of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

Schematic Diagram that shows how metabolism is made

Figure 2 shows that the Hypothalamus will produce TRH which stimulates the Anterior Pituitary to produce TSH which stimulates the Thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine (T₄) and Triiodothyronine (T₃) which regulates metabolism in our body.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Brain Trauma

Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone can be use to cure Spinocerebellar ataxia and brain trauma. Spinocerebellar ataxia is a autosomal dominant disease that deteriorate neurons in the central nervous system. Clinical significance of TRH is hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is a low production of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland. There are 3 types of hypothyroidism depending on its origin; primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary hypothyroidism originates in Thyroid gland, secondary hypothyroidism originates in pituitary gland and tertiary hypothyroidism originates in hypothalamus. On the other hand, acromegaly is a condition in which there is an excessive production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland after the epiphyseal plate has closed at teenage years.

One example of diagnostic test for TRH is the TRH Stimulation Test. This test determines the correlation between the secretions of TRH and TSH. 500 micrograms TRH collected by IV is the needed dose. Increased level of TSH will result to primary hypothyroidism and decreased level of TSH will result to hyperthyroidism.

Additional useful links:

You can click the links below to watch Dr. Walter Pierpaoli’s videos talking about the TRH:
Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TRH's roles and uses part 1
TRH's roles and uses part 2
TRH's roles and uses part 3

As for the last information that I can give to you, TRH also increases activity while decreasing the food you take, the weight of your body and sleep. I therefore conclude that TRH is important in making us strong and energetic, it helps in producing energy that we needed in our daily work. That’s all I can share to you about the Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone, I hope you learned something useful and informative in my blog. Thankyou and have a nice day.

References:

Bishop, M. L. (2010). Clinical Chemistry - Principles, Procedures and Correlations. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Lindberg, D. (2013, April 8). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hormones.html

McPherson, R. A., & Pincus, M. R. (2012). HENRY'S Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Singapore: Elsevier Inc.

Rothenberg, R. E. (1988). Medical Encyclodpedia and Guide to Family Health. New York: Lexicon Publications, Inc.

Simon, H. (2009, May 21). University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_hypothyroidism_000038_2.htm

Picture retrieved from:

Small Mario: http://ganaijachic.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/super-mario/

Mushroom: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/super-mario-bros/images/5431067/title/ginormous-mushroom-photo

Big Mario: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/super-mario-bros/images/5314181/title/new-super-mario-brothers-wallpaper-wallpaper

Spinocerebellar ataxia: http://www.gfmer.ch/genetic_diseases_v2/gendis_detail_list.php?cat3=1418

Brain trauma: http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/WirSelfInst/neuro_medStudents/trauma.html

Figure 1: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.3389/fnins.2012.00180

Figure 2: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/medium/structureimages/40/mfcd00038640.png

Video Link

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ivHLgHjmUi0

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co1gSqF07AU

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YXbNgeZ1lQ