Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal glands).
- The main natural glucocorticoid in humans is cortisol.
- Synthetic forms (like prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) are widely used as medications.
🔬 How They Work
Glucocorticoids bind to glucocorticoid receptors inside cells.
- This alters gene expression, switching certain genes on or off.
- The result is regulation of metabolism, inflammation, and stress response.
⚡ Functions of Glucocorticoids
- Metabolic regulation
- Increase blood sugar by stimulating glucose production (gluconeogenesis) in the liver.
- Break down fat and protein for energy.
- Stress response
- Provide energy in fight-or-flight situations (part of the HPA axis).
- Anti-inflammatory & immune modulation
- Suppress overactive immune responses.
- Reduce inflammation by lowering cytokine and histamine release.
- Other roles
- Help regulate blood pressure.
- Influence mood, memory, and circadian rhythm.
📋 Medical Uses (Synthetic Glucocorticoids)
Doctors prescribe glucocorticoid drugs for:
- Autoimmune diseases: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis.
- Allergic reactions: asthma, eczema, anaphylaxis.
- Inflammatory conditions: inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis.
- Endocrine disorders: replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease).
- Cancer therapy: to reduce swelling and nausea.
- Neurological use: lowering brain swelling after trauma or tumors.
⚠️ Side Effects of Long-Term Use
- Weight gain, “moon face,” “buffalo hump”
- High blood sugar → diabetes risk
- High blood pressure
- Osteoporosis (bone thinning)
- Muscle weakness
- Immune suppression → higher infection risk
- Mood changes, insomnia
- Skin thinning, easy bruising
👉 In short:
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones (natural or synthetic) that regulate metabolism, stress response, and inflammation. They are essential for survival and powerful as medicines, but long-term use must be carefully managed due to significant side effects.