Corticosteroids

Question 1

Corticosteroid are steroid hormones produced by the —————

Answer 1

adrenal cortex

Question 2

The 2 major physiologic and pharamcologic groups of corticosteroids

Answer 2

1) Glucocorticoids –> important effects on Inflammation
–> causes profoundinhibition of inflammatory responses and cause immunosuppression.
2) Mineralocorticoids –> regulate sodium and potassium reabsorption in the kidney

Question 3

category of Aldosterone

Answer 3

Mineralcorticoids

Question 4

MoA of Aldosterone

Answer 4

Regulate Sodium and potassium reabsorption in the Kidney.

Question 5

Category of Cortisol

Answer 5

Natural Glucocorticoids

Question 6

indication of cortisol/Hydrocorticone/ Prednisone/Betamethasone/Dexamethasone

Answer 6

1.Inflammatory or immunologic conditions.
–> Asthma, Organ transplant rejection, RA.
2. Adrenal cortical insufficiency’s (aka Addison’s disease)
3. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
4. For maturation of fetal lungs –>
Betamethasone is administered for
women in labor or having premature
contraction.

Question 7

MoA of Cortisol/Hydrocortisone/Dexamethasone/Prednisone/Betamethasone

Answer 7

• Glucocorticoids enter the cell and bind to cytosolic receptors.

-Steroid-receptor complex is transported
into the nucleus.

• This causes alteration in gene expression by binding to glucocorticoid response elements (GREs)

Question 8

toxcities of Dexamethasone/Cortisol/Hydrocotisol/
Predisone/Betamethasone

Answer 8

Toxicities;
1) Osteoporosis, growth inhibition, diabetes, muscle wasting, salt retention, psychosis (behavioral changes).
–> to minimize side effects –>Local application
(e.g. aerosols for asthma)

2) Alternate-day therapy.
Slow withdrawal after
continuous use–> to allow recovery of normal adrenal function.

Question 9

Category of Hydrocortisone

Answer 9

Natural Glucocorticoid

Question 10

Category of Prednidone

Answer 10

Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Question 11

category of betamethasone

Answer 11

Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Question 12

Category of Dexamethasone

Answer 12

Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Question 13

PK/PD of cortisol/ Hydrocortisone

Answer 13

1. 95% bound to CBG in plasma.
2. Well absorbed when given orally, metabolized by the liver.
3. Has a short duration of action compared with its synthetic analogs.
4. Small but significant salt retaining effect

Question 14

PK/PD dexamethasone/ Betamethasone/ Prednisone

Answer 14

1. **Longer half-life and duration of action
2. Reduced salt-retaining effect.**
3. Special glucocorticoids have been developed for use in asthma and topical use.
   –> Good surface activity on mucous membranes or skin is needed.
   –> Systemic effects avoided.