What is the Difference Between Catecholamines and Cortisol?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Catecholamines and cortisol are both chemical messengers in the human body, involved in the stress response, among other functions. However, they have distinct differences in their structure, synthesis, and functions.
Catecholamines:
- A group of chemicals that include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which function both as neurotransmitters and as hormones in the body.
- Synthesized in the adrenal medulla of the adrenal gland and inside some sympathetic nerve fibers.
- Responsible for the body's fight or flight response.
- Contain a benzene ring with adjacent hydroxyl groups and an amine group on the side.
Cortisol:
- A single chemical whose main functions include the regulation of metabolism and the regulation of other hormones.
- Synthesized from cholesterol and 11-Deoxycortisol by the action of various enzymes in the adrenal cortex.
- Increases blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, suppresses the immune system, regulates blood pressure, aids the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, helps control the sleep-wake cycle, and decreases bone formation.
Regarding their release, catecholamines are released into the blood circulation within seconds after a stressor, while cortisol takes a few minutes to rise. Catecholamines can quickly increase heart rate, rate of respiration, and re-absorption of water, while the effects of cortisol can be seen only after 30 minutes at the earliest and usually not for hours.
Comparative Table: Catecholamines vs Cortisol
Catecholamines and cortisol are both chemical messengers in the human body, involved in the stress response and other functions. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:
Feature | Catecholamines | Cortisol |
---|---|---|
Synthesis | Synthesized in the adrenal medulla of the adrenal gland and inside some sympathetic nerve fibers | Synthesized by the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland |
Chemical Structure | Contain a benzene ring with adjacent hydroxyl groups and an amine group on the side | Synthesized from cholesterol and 11-Deoxycortisol, finally into cortisol by the action of various enzymes |
Functions | Responsible for the body's fight or flight response | Regulates blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, suppresses the immune system, controls blood pressure, aids the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, helps control the sleep-wake cycle, and decreases bone formation |
Hormones | Include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine | A single hormone |
Site of Action | Receptors found throughout the body | Effects seen after 30 minutes at the earliest, and usually not for hours |
Catecholamines function as neurotransmitters and hormones in the body, while cortisol is synthesized from cholesterol and has various functions related to regulation and control in the body.
- Cortisol vs Epinephrine
- Catecholamines vs Acetylcholine
- Catecholamines vs Noncatecholamines
- Epinephrine vs Norepinephrine
- Acetylcholine vs Adrenaline
- Glucocorticoids vs Corticosteroids
- Adrenal Cortex vs Adrenal Medulla
- Cortisone vs Cortisol (Hydrocortisone)
- Steroid vs Corticosteroid
- Glucocorticoid vs Mineralocorticoid
- Atropine vs Epinephrine
- Cytokines vs Hormones
- Glucagon vs Glycogen
- Cortisone vs Hydrocortisone
- Dopamine vs Serotonin
- Adrenaline vs Noradrenaline
- Nerves vs Hormones
- DHEA vs Pregnenolone
- Neurotransmitters vs Hormones