The name glucocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in glucose metabolism. In the fasted state, cortisol stimulates several processes that collectively serve to increase and maintain normal concentrations of glucose in blood. These effects include: A hormone (from Greek horman - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ... Cortisol (hydrocortisone, C21H30O 5 ), is a corticosteroid hormone synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal glands. ...

• Stimulation of gluconeogenesis, particularly in the liver: This pathway results in the synthesis of glucose from non-hexose substrates such as amino acids and lipids and is particularly important in carnivores and certain herbivores. Enhancing the expression of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis is probably the best known metabolic function of glucocorticoids.
• Mobilization of amino acids from extrahepatic tissues: These serve as substrates for gluconeogenesis.
• Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue: A mechanism to conserve glucose.
• Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue: The fatty acids released by lipolysis are used for production of energy in tissues like muscle, and the released glycerol provide another substrate for gluconeogenesis.

Gluconeogenesis, ultimately, is the generation of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources like lactate, glycerol, and amino acids. ... The liver is an organ in vertebrates including humans. ... A hexose is a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms. ... In chemistry, an amino acid is any molecule that contains both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. ... Figure 1: Basic lipid structure. ... This article deals with meat-eating animals. ... In zoology, an herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plants (rather than meat). ... Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = leaven) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ... Adipose tissue is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body. ... ...

Effects on inflammation and immune function

Glucocorticoids have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. This is particularly evident when they administered at pharmacologic doses, but also is important in normal immune responses. As a consequence, glucocorticoids are widely used as drugs to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or dermatitis, and as adjunction therapy for conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance that reduces inflammation. ... Immunosuppression is the medical suppression of the immune system. ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. ... Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin irritation characterized by red, flaky skin, sometimes with cracks or tiny blisters. ... Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. ...

Other effects of glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids have multiple effects on fetal development. An important example is their role in promoting maturation of the lung and production of the surfactant necessary for extrauterine lung function. Mice with homozygous disruptions in the corticotropin-releasing hormone gene (see below) die at birth due to pulmonary immaturity. Homozygote cells are diploid or polyploid and have the same alleles at a locus (position) on homologous chromosomes. ... Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone secreted from corticotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released by the hypothalamus. ...

Excessive glucocorticoid levels resulting from administration as a drug or hyperadrenocorticism have effects on many systems. Some examples include inhibition of bone formation, suppression of calcium absorption and delayed wound healing. These observations suggest a multitide of less dramatic physiologic roles for glucocorticoids.