glucocorticoid

Examples of glucocorticoid in the following topics:

• Overview of the Adrenal Glands

  • The cortex mainly produces mineralcorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens, while the medulla chiefly produces adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.

• Adrenal Glands

  • The two major hormones produced are the mineralocorticoids and the glucocorticoids.
  • The glucocorticoids regulate increases in blood glucose and also reduce the body's inflammatory response.
  • The three main glucocorticoid hormones are cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone.
  • The glucocorticoids stimulate the synthesis of glucose and gluconeogenesis (converting a non-carbohydrate to glucose) by liver cells.
  • Cortisol is one of the most active glucocorticoids.

• Hormonal Regulation of Stress

  • The glucocorticoids mobilize lipid and protein reserves, stimulate gluconeogenesis, conserve glucose for use by neural tissue, and stimulate the conservation of salts and water.
  • There are two main corticosteroids: glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, and mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone.
  • The glucocorticoids primarily affect glucose metabolism by stimulating glucose synthesis.
  • Glucocorticoids also have anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of the immune system.
  • Hypersecretion of glucocorticoids can cause a condition known as Cushing's disease, characterized by a shifting of fat storage areas of the body.

• Adrenal Cortex

  • Zona fasciculata is the layer, situated between the glomerulosa and reticularis, this layer is responsible for producing glucocorticoids, such as 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and cortisol in humans.
  • The primary glucocorticoid released by the adrenal gland in the human is cortisol and corticosterone in many other animals.

• The Stress Response

  • ACTH acts on the adrenal cortices that produce glucocorticoid hormones, like cortisol, which is a stress hormone that exerts many effects throughout the body.
  • In the brain cortisol acts on both mineral corticoid and glucocorticoid receptors that are expressed by many different types of neurons.
  • Glucocorticoids of the HPA axis have many important functions, including the modulation of stress reactions, but in excess they may be damaging.

• The Resistance Reaction

  • There is also some activation of the HPA axis, producing glucocorticoids such as cortisol.
  • Resistance is the second stage and the increased secretion of glucocorticoids plays a major role by intensifying the systemic response.

• Asthma

  • If mild persistent disease is present (more than two attacks a week), low-dose inhaled glucocorticoids or alternatively, an oral leukotriene antagonist or a mast cell stabilizer is recommended.
  • For those who suffer daily attacks, a higher dose of inhaled glucocorticoid is used.
  • In a severe asthma exacerbation, oral glucocorticoids are added to these treatments.

• Aging and the Skeleton

  • This form of osteoporosis results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as glucocorticoids.

• Homeostatic Control

  • In turn, ACTH directs the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids, such as cortisol.
  • Glucocorticoids not only perform their respective functions throughout the body but also prevent further stimulating secretions of both the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland

• Osteoporosis

  • This form of osteoporosis results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as glucocorticoids.