Corticosteroid

CORTICOSTEROIDS Physiological Effects: Besides therapeutic effects, glucocorticoids also possess some effects which are called “permissive” effects. It means that in the absence of glucocorticoids, many normal functions become deficient. For example, in the absence of glucocorticoids, the lipolytic responses of fat cells to catecholamines, ACTH and growth hormone are diminished.

EFFECTS ON METABOLISM Glucocorticoids promote glycogen deposition in liver by inducing glycogen synthetase and promoting Gluconeogenesis. They inhibit glucose utilization by peripheral tissues. They cause increased release of glucose from liver. They cause hyperglycemia and thus stimulate insulin release. They stimulate lipase and cause lipolysis. They also promote lipolysis due to glucagon, growth hormone, adrenaline and thyroxine. The cAMP induced breakdown of triglycerides is enhanced and fatty acids and glycerol are released into the circulation. The increased insulin release stimulates lipogenesis and to a lesser degree inhibit lipolysis, leading to a net increase in fat deposition. Glucocorticoids cause breakdown of proteins and mobilization of aminoacids from peripheral tissues. This protein breakdown is manifested as --- muscle wasting, lipolysis, loss of osteiod from bone and thinning of skin. Thus glucocorticoids are catabolic. They try to maintain glucose supply to brain, during starvation, by exerting following effects. 1. Gluconeogenesis. 2. Inhibition of peripheral glucose uptake. 3. Release of aminoacids from muscle catabolism. 4. Stimulation of lipolysis. Prepared By Dr. SEHAR ALVI