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Glucocorticoids function via interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor: [citation needed] Upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Downregulate the expression of proinflammatory proteins. Glucocorticoids are also shown to play a role in the development and homeostasis of T lymphocytes. This has been shown in transgenic mice ...
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones.Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including stress response, immune response, and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism ...
Steroid hormones help control metabolism, inflammation, immune functions, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics, and the ability to withstand injury and illness. The term steroid describes both hormones produced by the body and artificially produced medications that duplicate the action for the naturally occurring steroids.
The glucocorticoids cortisol and cortisone are synthesized in the zona fasciculata; their functions include the regulation of metabolism and immune system suppression. The innermost layer of the cortex, the zona reticularis, produces androgens that are converted to fully functional sex hormones in the gonads and other target organs. [4]
However, in humans, cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid that is produced primarily in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. Corticosterone has only weak glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid potencies in humans and is important mainly as an intermediate in the steroidogenic pathway from pregnenolone to aldosterone.
Adrenocortical hormones are divided into three classes by function: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. Mineralocorticoid hormones are synthesized in the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex known as the zona glomerulosa. [2] Their function is to regulate the concentration of electrolytes circulating in the blood. [1]
Prolonged use of systemic glucocorticoids – widely used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases – have previously been linked to potential side effects in the long-term.
Topical glucocorticoids alter the functions of epidermal and dermal cells as well as that of the white blood cells involved in proliferative and inflammatory skin diseases. [6] Topical glucocorticoids act as agonists for the cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor. After binding to the receptor, the complex is then transported into the nucleus.