Gluco- and Mineralcorticosteroids (pharmacology)

Question 1

What are the three effects of glucocorticosteroids?

Answer 1

•Metabolic and systemic effects
-Decrease glucose uptake and utilisation.
-Increase gluconeogenesis in liver.
-Increase sodium retention and potassium loss.
-Decrease in absorption and increase in excretion of calcium.
•Negative feedback effects
-High levels of glucocorticosteroids inhibits the release of CRH and ACTH, as well as TSH and GH.
•Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects
-Increases the expression of annexin (causes inhibition of phospholipase A)
-Suppress the COX-2 which forms prostaglandins.

Question 2

What are the therapeutic uses of glucocorticosteroids? (7)

Answer 2

-Replacement therapy for primary adrenocortical insufficiency.
-Replacement therapy for secondary or tertiary adrenocortical insufficiency.
-Replacement therapy for congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
-Diagnosis for cushing’s syndrome.
-Accelerate lung maturation.
-Relief of inflammatory symptoms.
-Treatment for allergies and asthma.
-Oncotherapy and organ transplantation.

Question 3

What is the effect of mineralcorticosteroids?

Answer 3

Control of body water volume and electrolyte concentration.

Question 4

Therapeutic uses of mineralcorticosteroids

Answer 4

Replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Question 5

What are the adverse effects of adrenocorticosteroids? (6)

Answer 5

-Peripheral oedema
-Glaucoma
-Decreased growth in children.
-Osteoporosis
-Hypertension
-Hypokalemia