Hormones Of Heart, Kidney And Gastrointestinal Tract: Overview, Topics

Homeostasis and Non-Endocrine Hormones

Homeostasis in the body is maintained by the interplay between the nervous and endocrine systems that act to control and coordinate physiological functions. While the endocrine system includes endocrine glands, nonendocrine tissues can also act as endocrine organs. This means that the heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract also produce certain hormones required for a variety of bodily functions.

Hormones of the Heart

The hormones of the heart are:

Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF)

Production: It is secreted by cardiac cells lining the walls of atria.

Function: Regulates blood volume and arterial blood pressure as a vasodilator by decreasing the blood pressure because of blood vessel dilation.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Production: Ventricles of the heart.

Function: Similar to ANF, BNP lowers blood pressure and fluid overload by increasing sodium and water excretion.

Adrenomedullin

Production: Produced in several tissues, including the heart.

Function: It is a vasodilator that helps in blood pressure and blood flow regulation.

Hormones of the Kidney

The hormones of the kidney are:

Renin

Production: Released by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney.

Function: This hormone initiates the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.

Calcitriol

Production: The active form of vitamin D is produced in the kidneys.

Function: Increases calcium absorption in the intestines and balances calcium with phosphate in the blood.

Prostaglandins

Production: Produced locally in the kidneys.

Function: Involved in the regulation of blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium reabsorption.

Hormones of the Gastrointestinal Tract

The Hormones Of The Gastrointestinal Tract are:

Gastrin

Production: Released from cells known as G cells in the stomach

Function: Stimulates gastric acid release from parietal cells and the release of enzymes from chief cells to digest food

Secretin

Production: Produced by S cells of the duodenum.

Function: Stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and bile production.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Secretion: Released by I cells in the duodenum.

Function: Stimulates bile release and pancreatic enzyme secretion for digestion.

Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP)

Secretion: Released by K cells in the duodenum.

Function: Inhibits gastric acid secretion and motility.

Motilin

Secretion: Released by M cells in the small intestine.

Function: Regulates gastric motility and promotes the migrating motor complex during fasting.

Somatostatin

Secretion: Produced by the D cells of the gastrointestinal tract.

Function: Inhibits the release of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

Coordination With the Endocrine System

Hormones from non-endocrine tissues interact with classical endocrine hormones. For example, renin from the kidney integrates with adrenal hormones in RAAS. This ensures precise regulation of blood pressure, digestion, and fluid balance

Summary Table — Hormones of Heart, Kidney & GI Tract

The summary of the hormones of heart, kidney and GI tract is given in the table below:

Hormones of Heart, Kidney & GI NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Types of hormones

• Hormones of Heart, Kidney & GI tract and their function

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Which of the following are the types of Chemical hormones?

1. Proteins, steroids & biogenic amines

2. Proteins only

3. Steroids only

4. Biogenic amines only

Correct answer: 1) Proteins, steroids & biogenic amines

Explanation:

Chemically, hormones are composed of proteins, steroids, and biogenic amines. Protein hormones are composed of amino acids and include examples such as insulin and growth hormone. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and include examples such as testosterone and cortisol. Biogenic amine hormones are derived from amino acids and include examples such as epinephrine and serotonin.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Proteins, steroids & biogenic aminesis.

Q2. Proteins perform many physiological functions. For example, some functions as enzymes. Which of the following represents an additional function that some proteins discharge?

1. Antibiotics

2. Pigment conferring colour to skin

3. Pigments making colours of flowers

4. Hormones

Correct answer: 4) Hormones

Explanation:

Antibiotics that contain enzymes do not possess proteins, but many antibodies might not have proteins or enzymes. Moreover, pigments are not proteins. Hormones can be categorized chemically as either proteins or steroids. Except for sex hormones and those derived from the adrenal cortex, every hormone in the human body is a protein or a protein derivative.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Hormones.

Q3. Name a peptide hormone which acts mainly on hepatocytes, and adipocytes and enhances cellular glucose uptake and utilization.

1. Insulin

2. Glucagon

3. Secretin

4. Gastrin

Correct answer: 1) Insulin

Explanation:

Insulin - Insulin is a peptide hormone, which plays a major role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Insulin acts mainly on hepatocytes and adipocytes (cells of adipose tissue) and enhances cellular glucose uptake and utilization

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Insulin.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Introduction to Endocrine System

• Pituitary Gland

• Adrenal Gland

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