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Glucocorticoids such as cortisol control carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and are anti-inflammatory by preventing phospholipid release, decreasing eosinophilEosinophils are white blood cells that are responsible for combating infection by parasites in the body. These cells, transparent in vivo appear brick-red when stained by the Romanowsky method. The red colour is visible as small granules within the cell. action and a number of other mechanisms. Mineralocorticoids such as aldosteroneAldosterone is a steroid synthesized in the mid-section of the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland. It is the sole endogenous member of the class of mineralocorticoids. It helps regulate the body's electrolyte balance by acting on the mineralocorticoid re control electrolyte and water levels, mainly by promoting sodium retention in the kidneyThe kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. Part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. The medical field that studies the kidneys and diseases affec.

Some common natural hormones are corticosterone (C₂₁H₃₀O₄), cortisone (C₂₁H₂₈O₅, 17-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone) and aldosterone.

1 Uses

Synthetic drugThis article is about chemical substances. For other meanings of the word "drug", see Drug (disambiguation A drug is any substance that can be used to treat an illness, relieve a symptom, or modify a chemical process or processes in the body. The word "drs with corticosteroid-like effect are used in a variety of conditions, ranging from brain tumorA brain tumor is any mass created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells either found in the brain ( neurons, glial cells, epithelial cells, myelin producing cells etc. or spread ( metastasis) of tumor cells from elsewhere. Brain tumors are usuals to skin diseases. DexamethasoneChemical structure of dexamethasone Dexamethasone is a synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. It is about 40 times stronger than hydrocortisone. Its chemical name is 9-Fluoro-11ss,17,21-trihydroxy-16a-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione'' and its derivatives are almost pure glucocorticoids, while prednisolonePrednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug which is usually taken orally and can be used for a large number of different conditions. It has a mainly glucocorticoid effect. The related substance prednisone is a pro-drug that is converted by the liver and its derivatives have some mineralocorticoid action in addition to the glucocorticoid effect. Fludrocortisone (Florinef®) is a synthetic mineralocorticoid. Hydrocortisone (cortisol) is available for replacement therapy, e.g. in adrenal insufficiency.

Synthetic glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of joint pain or inflammation ( arthritis), dermatitis, allergic reactions, asthma, hepatitis, lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease ( ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), sarcoidosis and for glucocorticoid replacement in Addison's disease or other forms of adrenal insufficiency. Topical formulations for treatment of skin or bowel diseases are available.

Typical undesired effects of glucocorticoids present quite uniformly as drug-induced Cushing's syndrome. Typical mineralocorticoid side effects are hypertension, hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and metabolic alkalosis .