GLUCOCORTICOIDS are potent inhibitors of inflammatory processes and are widely used in the treatment of asthma. The anti-inflammatory effects are mediated either by direct binding of the glucocorticoid/glucocorticoid receptor complex to glucocorticoid responsive elements in the promoter region of genes, or by an interaction of this complex with other transcription factors, in particular activat...

In order to investigate the effect of glucocorticoids on gastrin secretion, plasma gastrin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in patients with Cushing's syndrome and those treated with glucocorticoids. Fasting plasma gastrin levels were significantly higher in these patients than in normal subjects, with exaggerated response to food. Conversely, short-term treatment or intravenous infusio...

Glucocorticoids have been used in clinical oncology for over half a century. The clinical applications of glucocorticoids in oncology are mainly dependent on their pro-apoptotic action to treat lymphoproliferative disorders, and also on alleviating side effects induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy in non-hematologic cancer types. Researches in the past few years have begun to unveil the prof...

OBJECTIVE To describe the main undesirable side effects of glucocorticoid therapy, mechanisms of action and the necessary measures to minimize side effects. SOURCES Author's experience, supplemented with papers published in MEDLINE. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS The principles for minimizing undesirable side effects of glucocorticoid therapy include: a) only use glucocorticoids if they are essent...

Glucocorticoids are frequently used to treat allergic reactions. Therefore, allergic reactions to systemic glucocorticoids in particular are considered most unlikely and are not well known. We report on a 23-year-old woman with atopic dermatitis who had an anaphylactic reaction after oral administration of prednisolone. On treatment with epinephrine, antihistamines and volume symptoms resolved....

Glucocorticoids serve as key stress response hormones that facilitate stress coping. However, sustained glucocorticoid exposure is associated with adverse consequences on the brain, in particular within the hippocampus. Chronic glucocorticoid exposure evokes neuronal cell damage and dendritic atrophy, reduces hippocampal neurogenesis and impairs synaptic plasticity. Glucocorticoids also alter e...