[Glucocorticoids and metabolism]

Abstract

After a brief historical account, the physiological effect of glucocorticoid hormones are analysed. Their main point of impact is neoglucogenesis from proteins. To this is added their direct action on carbohydrates, their intervention in the use of lipids, and in the movement of water and salts. Cortisone penetrates into the cell, is fixed by a cortisone receptor in order to be transferred into the nucleus and to act on the transformation of ADN-ARN. Its relationships with cyclic AMP are discussed. The hormonal correlations of glucocorticoids are numerous. (insulin, catecholamine, glucagon, growth hormone, androgen). Synthetic cordicoids have biological actions which are close to those of glucocorticoids, but vary depending on their structure. These physiological and pharmacological notions imply certain precautions in the use of this type of hormone derivative.