Corticosteroid

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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Corticosteroids, also called adrenal cortex hormones, are steroids mainly produced by the adrenal cortex.

## Contents

* 1 Classification
* 1.1 17-Ketosteroids
* 1.2 Glucocorticoids
* 1.3 Hydroxycorticosteroids
* 2 Therapeutic uses
* 2.1 Infectious diseases
* 3 References

## Classification[edit]

There are three major groups of corticosteroids.[1]

### 17-Ketosteroids[edit]

The 17-Ketosteroids are the sex steroids and are mainly produced in the zona reticularis layer (the innermost layer of the adrenal gland) of the adrenal cortex.

### Glucocorticoids[edit]

Glucocorticoids affect carbohydrate metabolism and inflammation are mainly produced in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. The naturally occurring glucocorticoids include hydrocortisone (also called cortisol).[2] The normal adult secretes 10 to 20 mg of cortisol per day.[3]

### Hydroxycorticosteroids[edit]

The hydroxycorticosteroids are mostly the mineralocorticoids and are mainly produced in the zona glomerulosa layer (the outermost layer of the adrenal gland) of the adrenal cortex.[4] The naturally occurring mineralocorticoids include aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone.

Relative potencies of the corticosteroids  | Anti-inflammatory | Salt-retention

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Hydrocortisone | 1 | 1
Cortisone | 0.8 | 0.8
Prednisone | 4 | 0.8
Prednisolone | 4 | 0.8
Triamcinolone | 5 | 0
Prednisolone | 5 | 0
Methylprednisolone | 5 | 0
Dexamethasone | 30 | 0
Fludocortisone | 10 | 250
Adapted from Cancer Medicine and US Pharmacist

## Therapeutic uses[edit]

### Infectious diseases[edit]

Corticosteroids are beneficial in treated selected infections[5]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ National Library of Medicine. Adrenal Cortex Hormones. Retrieved on 2007-11-27.
2. ↑ Rhen T, Cidlowski JA (2005). "Antiinflammatory action of glucocorticoids--new mechanisms for old drugs". N. Engl. J. Med. 353 (16): 1711–23. DOI:10.1056/NEJMra050541. PMID 16236742. Research Blogging.
3. ↑ Katzung, Bertram G. (2006). Basic and clinical pharmacology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division. ISBN 0-07-145153-6.
4. ↑ White PC (1994). "Disorders of aldosterone biosynthesis and action". N. Engl. J. Med. 331 (4): 250–8. PMID 8015573. [e]
5. ↑ McGee S, Hirschmann J (May 2008). "Use of corticosteroids in treating infectious diseases". Arch. Intern. Med. 168 (10): 1034–46. DOI:10.1001/archinte.168.10.1034. PMID 18504331. Research Blogging.