Glucocorticoids

Question 1

What are the 2 short acting glucocorticoids

Answer 1

Cortisone and hydrocortisone

Question 2

What are the 4 intermediate acting glucocorticoids

Answer 2

Prednisone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone, and Methylprednisolone

Question 3

What are the 2 Long acting glucocorticoids

Answer 3

Betamethasone and Dexamethasone

Question 4

What is the source of the endogenous glucocorticoid hormones

Answer 4

Adrenal glands

Question 5

Where is the production of cortisol

Answer 5

Zona Fasciculata of the adrenal cortex

Question 6

What is the precursor of glucocorticoids

Answer 6

Cholesterol

Question 7

How are Cortisol and Dexamethasone similar

Answer 7

they both inhibit the HPA axis

Question 8

What other effects do glucocorticoids have on other hormones

Answer 8

reduces TSH and increases GH production

Question 9

How do cortisol levels vary time-wise

Answer 9

Cortisol levels are low at night and peak in the morning when activity is needed

Question 10

What kind of receptor is the glucocorticoid receptor

Answer 10

Cytosolic receptor

Question 11

what is the effect on metabolism from glucocorticoids

Answer 11

increase blood glucose, increase glycogen stores, increase blood fatty acids and blood amino acids

Question 12

what do elevated glucose levels do

Answer 12

provide energy required to combat stress

Question 13

how do glucocorticoids alter levels of circulating blood cells

Answer 13

Decrease eosinophils, basophils, mono, and lymphocytes and increase levels of hemoglobin, platelets and erythrocytes

Question 14

What is the mechanism of glucocorticoids in the anti-inflammatory response

Answer 14

Inhibits phospholipase A2, by activation of Lipocortin and removing cells from circulation

Question 15

What is the effect of glucocorticoids in the liver vs extra hepatic tissues

Answer 15

Liver: anabolic

Extrahepatic tissue: stimulates protein catabolism to provide energy needed for glucose synthesis

Question 16

What percent of cortisol is bound to plasma proteins

Answer 16

90%

Question 17

Synthetic corticosteroids are bound primarily by _____

Answer 17

albumin

Question 18

Glucocorticoid therapy should be monitored in individuals with _____-

Answer 18

Hepatic dysfunction

Question 19

Why is the plasma half life shorter than the biological half life

Answer 19

The effects persist due to the ligand receptor complex sticking around vs plasma membrane receptor desensitization

Question 20

Large doses of glucocorticoids over an extended period of time can cause _____ of the HPA axis

Answer 20

suppression

Question 21

A regimen of this type of therapy is useful allowing the HPA axis to recover

Answer 21

Alternate day therapy

Question 22

What type of anti-inflammatory can glucocorticoids be administered for

Answer 22

Eczema and dermatitis, arthritis, bursitis, Crohn’s Disease, Asthma, and COPD

Question 23

How can glucocorticoids be used in pregnant mothers

Answer 23

Pregnant mothers with threatened premature delivery prior to 34 weeks are given glucocorticoids which can cross the placental barrier and stimulate the production of surfactant in the lungs

Question 24

What are some adverse effects of glucocorticoids

Answer 24

Osteoporosis, Cataracts, hyperglycemia, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, addison’s disease (adrenal suppression)

Question 25

This disease is an insufficient glucocorticoid production

Answer 25

Addison’s Disease

Question 26

This disease has an excess of glucocorticoids

Answer 26

Cushing’s syndrome

Question 27

How can you test for Cushing’s Syndrome

Answer 27

Dexamethasone suppression test

Question 28

What does primary Cushings syndrome show

Answer 28

CRF overproduction

Question 29

What does secondary cushions disease

Answer 29

ACTH overproduction