Home > Cortisol

Cortisol (hydrocortisone, C₂₁H₃₀O₅, ), is a corticosteroid hormone synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal glands. Its systematic name is 11ß,17,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and its CAS number is 50-23-7.

The amount of cortisol present in the serum undergoes diurnal variation, with the highest levels present in the early morning, and lower levels in the evening, several hours after the onset of sleep. Serum cortisol levels fluctuate in response to a number of other variables, including ACTH levels, psychological stress, and such physiological stressors as hypoglycemia, illness, fever, trauma, surgery, fear, pain, physical exertion or extremes of temperature.

Cortisol is usually released in response to long term stressStress has different meanings in different fields: Stress in physics, see also pressure. Medical or psychological stress, see stress (medicine). Vocal stress, see phonology. Link stress (network theory). Moisture stress or plant stress is the result of de. Some effects of cortisol being secreted into the bloodstream are an increase in blood pressureBlood pressure or arterial blood pressure is the pressure (force per unit area) exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. Unless indicated otherwise, blood pressure refers to the pressure in the large arteries, such as the brachial artery (i and glucoseGlucose a simple monosaccharide sugar, is one of the most important carbohydrates and is used as a source of energy in animals and plants. Glucose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and starts respiration. The natural form (D-glucose) is also r concentrations. Also it increases the glycogenGlycogen is the principal storage form of glucose in animal cells. In humans and other vertebrates, most glycogen is found in the liver (10% of the liver mass), giving it a distinctive, "starchy" taste. Muscles contain a relatively low amount of glycogen formation in the liverThe liver is an organ in vertebrates including humans. It plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body including detoxification, glycogen storage and plasma protein synthesis. It also produces bile which is important for dige. (Freeman, 853) The release of cortisol inhibits functioning of the immune systemThe immune system is any system present in an organism to prevent predation by biological agents. All living organisms have these protective measures, although they vary radically in scope and mechanism. In humans and domesticated animals, the immune syst, and bone formation.

Cortisol also inhibits the secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), resulting in feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion. This normal feedback system is overridden in situations of stress.

Most serum cortisol, all but about 4 percent, is bound to proteins including corticosteroid binding globulin , CBG, and albuminYou may be looking for albumen, or egg white. Albumin is a blood plasma protein that is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein. The normal range of albumin concentrations in human blood is 3. 0 g/dL, and albumin normally. Only free cortisol is available to most receptors.

As an oral or injectable drug, cortisol is used medically in the treatment of anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions, and to reduce certain forms of swelling or edema.