Norepinephrine or norepinephrine is a hormone from the family of catecholamines, also known as biogenic amines, also acting as neurotransmitter of the autonomic nervous system. ANDAmong its functions, we can highlight the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, thus increasing blood glucose, and its vasodilating action. Furthermore, it is also related to anxiety control and learning.
Know more:Read more about this other hormone that also acts on glucose
What is noradrenaline for?
As stated earlier, norepinephrine acts in two ways in the body, such as hormone and neurotransmitter.
→ Hormone
Noradrenaline is synthesized by the adrenal gland and its actions are related to helping the body's response to short-term stress. Among these actions, we can highlight the increase in the level of glucose in the blood, due to the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles.
It also acts on the Cardiovascular system, increasing, for example, blood flow. In addition, they work in the respiratory system, dilating the bronchioles and increasing the concentration of oxygen in the blood.
→ neurotransmitter
THE norepinephrine can also be synthesized in the nervous system, from the amino acid tyrosine, and has an excitatory action on the autonomic nervous system (responsible for smooth muscle and cardiac control, usually involuntary control).
In addition, your action is also related to attention, à memory, à learning, to the anxiety control, between others.
Read more: Get to know this important gland in the human body
Vasodilator norepinephrine and ICU
As stated earlier, norepinephrine also acts on the Cardiovascular system, presenting a vasoconstrictor action and helping to modulate pressure.
Thus, norepinephrine started to be used also in Intensive Care Units (ICU), in the treatment of patients in septic shock. Septic shock is associated with changes such as hypotension, changes in blood flow in certain regions, such as kidneys, among others.
Excessive norepinephrine is associated with mania, one of the typical forms of bipolar disorder.
Noradrenaline and adrenaline
THE adrenaline or epinephrine, just like the norepinephrine, also belongs to the catecholamine family and acts as a neurotransmitter and hormone. Adrenaline is also synthesized by the adrenal gland.
Conversion of norepinephrine to epinephrine is possible. Along with norepinephrine, adrenaline acts in the production of a rapid response by the body to stressful situations.
One of the main forms of action is increasing the amount of chemical energy for immediate use in these stressful situations. In addition, they also work in the Cardiovascular system (increase in blood pressure and thechanges in the blood flow pattern), in the respiratory system (increase in respiratory rate), among others.
Synthesis of norepinephrine - Changes
Changes in neurotransmitter synthesis are related to several neurological diseases. Next, we will describe some of these alterations related to the synthesis of noradrenaline.
→ Norepinephrine excess
Excess norepinephrine is associated with mania. Mania is one of the typical forms of bipolar disorder. O bipolar disorder characterized mainly by significant changes in mood, varying between periods of depression and high mood, in addition to being associated with other specific symptoms.
Mania is the opposite of the depressive phase and is characterized by an expansive mood, accelerated thinking, and may also present delusions, sleep disorders, among other symptoms.
Mania, like depression, must be treated properly, as it can significantly affect the individual's life. It is important to highlight that mania can lead to a disabling condition.
→ low norepinephrine
The shortage of norepinephrine is related, for example, to conditions of depression deep. Depression is not just sadness or feeling bad after a bad event. Depression it's no frills!
Depression is characterized by symptoms such as:
depressive state, that is, the individual feels depressed most of the time;
lack of interest in performing routine activities;
difficulty concentrating;
feeling of uselessness or excessive guilt;
excessive tiredness;
sleep disorders;
significant weight loss or gain;
recurrent thoughts about death, among others.
The greater the amount of symptoms presented, the greater the degree of depression. THE depression it must be diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional and properly treated.
The drugs used in the treatment, when necessary, act by increasing biogenic amines in the brain, in addition to blocking the reuse of norepinephrine across the synaptic membrane, leading to an accumulation in the regions postsynaptic.
