Unit 10: Corticosteroids Flashcards
What stimulates the adrenals to release cortisol?
ACTH
What releases ACTH?
The anterior pituitary
What stimulates the kidneys to retain sodium and therefore water?
ADH
What releases ADH?
The posterior pituitary
What kind of steroid is cortisol?
GLUCOcorticoid
What kind of steroid is aldosterone?
MINERALOcorticoid
What do the glucocorticoids do?
metabolism function
immune function
What do the mineralocorticoids do?
regulate fluids, electroltytes
What is another name for cortisol?
hydrocortisone
What is CBG?
cortisol binding globulin
When are levels of CBG higher?
pregnancy
increased estrogen
hyperthyroidism
What happens to cortisol when CBG levels go up?
less cortisol available
When are levels of CBG lower?
protein deficiency
hypothyroidism
genetic defect in synthesis of CBG
What happens to cortisol when CBG levels go down?
more cortisol available
What intracellular effects do corticosteroids have?
growth pro-inflammatory cytokines immune activity insulin amount and action glucagon catecholamine response ACTH
What does cortisol do?
FASTING: stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis
muscle catabolism
increases serum glucose –> provides continuous supply of glucose to the brain
increases insulin secretion
changes in fat metabolism
increased fatty acids in serum
Why does a person on prednisone have higher WBC counts but decreased response to infection?
prednisone increases # of neutrophils by releasing more from bone marrow, but keeps them in the serum and does not allow them to go to the area of inflammation
What effect does cortisol have on macrophages?
macrophages are cells that eat bacteria
steroids inhibit them
What effect does cortisol have on prostaglandins?
reduces prostaglandins synthesis –> reason steroids can be helpful in arthritis
What effect does cortisol have on mood?
depression
insomnia