Corticosteroids Flashcards
The role of the adrenal glands is to…
Products??
Secrete mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones
Ex: Aldosterone (fluid control), cortisol, androgens (bone density, sexual desire, body maturation)
The primary functions of cortisol is to help regulate the following…
Mediate stress response
Regulate metabolism, inflammatory response, and immune system
Cortisol is released in response to ____
Stress
When stress resolves, cortisol also helps to…
Restore hormone levels
The short-term stress response involves…
Think of the different body systems
Increased HR, BP (SNS); changes in blood flow patterns
Increased BG (glycogen to glucose in liver)
Dilation of bronchioles
Increased metabolic rate
The long-term stress response involves…
Actions of mineralcorticoids and glucocorticoids long term lead to…
Mineralocorticoids - retention of sodium and water, increased BP and volume (RAAS)
Glucocorticoids - proteins + fats converted to glucose, increased BG, suppress immune system
Production and secretion of adrenal gland products is regulated via…
Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis
Connection between the brain and the adrenals
The hormone sequence that activates the adrenal glands is as follows:
Hypothalamus produces CRH, which makes pituitary secrete ACTH; which stimulates adrenals to release products.
The HPA-axis can regulate itself because cortisol works by…
Negative…
Negative feedback loop to prevent production of CRH and ACTH, stopping further production of cortisol + other adrenal products
Inflammation is a process where WBC’s and other mediators…
Protect against foreign substances
Long-term inflammation eventually becomes…
Unproductive to the body
Ex: Edema impeding blood flow
The inflammatory response often begins with stimuli, which triggers two factors…
Antigen-antibody response
Release of inflammatory mediators
Inflammatory mediators are directly correlated with…
guiding the immune cells to…
Cell mobilization to the tissue, often involving increasing capillary permeability
Common physical outcomes of inflammation involve…
Signs of injury
Edema
Erythema
Pruritis
Corticosteroids exert anti-inflammatory actions via
Impeding steps of the inflammatory process
Altering cytokine release
Blocking capillary permeability and less vasoactive substance release
Inhibiting leukocyte + macrophage migration/adhesion, and interfering with phagocytosis
Corticosteroids also have immunosuppressive qualities, which include…
Stopping immune response from even starting
Altering function of WBC’s, as well as cell function
Inhibiting T-cell activation, as well as interleukins, cytokines, and TNF-alpha synthesis
Corticosteroids have anti-mitotic activity, which means they can…
Inhibit DNA synthesis + epidermal cell turnover
Corticosteroids have shown anti-tumour effects, which may be related to the following…
Immune system? Tumour cell nourishment?
Inhibition of glucose transport, or induction of cell death in immature lymphocytes
Corticosteroids have anti-emetic effects, which may be due to…
Blockade of cerebral innervation of the emetic center
Corticosteroids are available as local dosage forms such as…
Otic, opthalmic, inhaled, topical
Corticosteroids are available as systemic agents, such as…
Injectables
Oral
Local agents may be more beneficial than systemic agents because…
Less adverse effects
Opthalmic/Otic corticosteroid formulations are often used for…
Redness, itching, swelling, and pain
A common issue with opthalmic/otic drops is…
Correct delivery technique (ex: administration of eyedrops)
