Corticosteroids and immune modulatory agents Flashcards
What happens in the brain when the body is under stress
- Hypothalamus releases corticotrophin releasing factor
- This stimulated the anterior pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophin hormone
- This stimulates the adrenal cortex to release mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids
What is the release of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids controlled by
RAS
What is another name for glucocorticoids
corticosteroids
Name the 2 main types of endogenous steroids
- mineralocorticoids
- glucocorticoids
What do mineralocorticoids include
Aldosterone
What are mineralocorticoids involved in
Water and electrolyte balance
What do glucocorticoids include
Hydrocortisone
What are glucocorticoids involved in
Carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Why are glucocorticoids used for clinically
Used for their anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and steroid- replacement abilities
List soem synthetic corticosteroids
- Glucocorticoids,
- glucocorticosteroids,
- steroids
What are synthetic corticosteroids
They are analogues of endogenous adrenal steroid hormones
Describe the qualities of synthetic corticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immunosuppressive
- Proliferate
- Vasoconstricting
Talk through the mode of action of synthetic corticosteroids
Bind to intracellular steroid receptors which then bind to specific DNA sequences to modify gene transcription
OR
They interact in various ways with cellular membranes and their receptors
What effect do corticosteroids have on the body
They stop transcribing genes and the subsequent pro inflammatory protein that drive so many choleric inflammatory disease
Which protein transport corticosteroids once they are absorbed
Transcortin and albumin
Which has better anti inflammatory and immunosuppressive qualities mineralocorticoids or corticosteroids
Corticosteroids
Name some clinically useful steroids
- Hydrocortisone
- Prednisolone
- Betamethasone
- Fludrocortisone
How can steroids be given
Most active orally but can be given through:
1. IV
2. Intra muscular
3. Eye drops
4. Ointment
5. Inhaled
Talk through the mode of action of glucocorticoids
Bind to intracellular receptors and results in reduced production of factors involved in immune and inflammatory responses
What do glucocorticoids do
They induce phospholipase release and suppress COX2
What does the inducing of phospholipase release and suppress COX2 lead to
- less IL-1,-2,-3,-6, TNF alpha and interferon gamma
- Less COX-2
- Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1
- Less release of histamine and leucotrienes from mast cells and basophils
- Less fibroblast production
- less induction, proliferation and effector phase of lymphocytes
List some diseases corticosteroids can be used as therapeutics for
- Asthma and other allergies
- Eczema/ dermatitis, lichen planus, vasculitis
- Erythema multiform
- Steven Johnsons syndrome
- Oral ulcerations
- Behçet’s disease
- Some blood disorders
- inflammatory bowel disease
- immunosuppression after organ failure
- Addisons disease
Where is cortisol secreted fro
The adrenal cortex
How much cortisol is secreted daily
The adrenal cortex secretes 20mg of cortisol daily
How much is 20mg of cortisol in prednisolone
5mg
What is an adrenal crisis
It is a medical emergency caused by lack of cortisol