The Glucocorticoid Hormones

Abstract

It has been said that not all hormones are created equal; some hormones are necessary for life, while other hormones make life worth living. Cortisol is a hormone essential for life. The characterization of the structure of various adrenal hormones and the synthesis of these hormones for therapeutic use represent major strides during the fourth and fifth decades of this century. The synthesis of glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex and the regulatory mechanisms that govern the interplay between the adrenal cortex and the hypothalamic pituitary unit are fascinating examples of physiology applied to clinical medicine. This chapter focuses on the synthesis, transport, regulatory control, and physiological actions of glucocorticoids. The application of these principles to the diagnostic testing of patients with disordered adrenocortical function is also discussed.