Question 171

Question:

A 10-year-old boy is severely burned. Nitrogen loss occurs during the first few days after the burn. During this acute period, which of the following substances plays a major role in nitrogen loss?

Correct Answer: A.  Cortisol

When the body is stressed, physiologically or pathologically, cortisol (option A) is produced in greater quantities than normal. In this case, severe burns is the stressor which would lead to an increase in cortisol. As a glucocorticoid, cortisol will increase protein catabolism which will increase nitrogen loss.
Erythropoietin (option B) is released by the kidneys to stimulate RBC production.
Insulin (option C) is released by the pancreas and regulates glucose levels and fat metabolism.
Parathyroid hormone (option D) is released by the parathyroid gland and regulates calcium, phosphate and Vitamin D.
Thyroxine (option E) released by the thyroid plays a part in increasing metabolic rate but would not specifically be involved in protein catabolism and thus nitrogen loss.