Glucocorticoids

A set of 50 flashcards covering key vocabulary related to glucocorticoids and their impact on inflammation and immune response.

Glucocorticoids

A class of corticosteroids that affect protein and carbohydrate metabolism and have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities.

Corticosteroid

A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, involved in a variety of processes including immune response and metabolism.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid hormone that affects water and electrolyte balance.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone that plays a role in metabolism and the body's response to stress.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system.

Calcineurin inhibitors

A class of drugs that suppress the immune response by inhibiting T-cell activation.

M-TOR inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit the mTOR signaling pathway, affecting cell growth and proliferation.

Antiproliferative drugs

Medications that inhibit cell growth and division, often used in cancer treatment.

Biological agents

Biologics are products derived from living organisms used to treat various diseases.

Innate immune system

The first line of defense against pathogens, providing immediate but non-specific protection.

Acquired immune system

The adaptive immunity that develops over time, characterized by its specificity and memory of pathogens.

Adverse effects of corticosteroid therapy

Unwanted side effects associated with glucocorticoid use, including infection risk and metabolic changes.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Eicosanoids

Signaling molecules derived from fatty acids that are involved in inflammation and other physiological functions.

Annexin-A1

An anti-inflammatory protein released by glucocorticoids that helps to inhibit inflammatory responses.

Transcription factors

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression.

Transactivation

The process by which a transcription factor increases gene expression.

Transrepression

The process by which a transcription factor inhibits gene expression.

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB)

A protein complex that controls transcription of DNA and is involved in cellular responses to stimuli.

Cox-2

An enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, involved in inflammation.

Annexin-A1 function

Inhibits phospholipase A2, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

Hydrocortisone

The naturally occurring form of cortisol, used therapeutically as a glucocorticoid.

Prednisolone

A synthetic glucocorticoid that is more potent than hydrocortisone.

Dexamethasone

A synthetic glucocorticoid with strong anti-inflammatory effects.

Addison's disease

A disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones, notably glucocorticoids.

Cushing's syndrome

A condition caused by excessive cortisol levels, characterized by obesity and other systemic effects.

Ulcerative colitis

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

Crohn's disease

A type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sulfasalazine

A medication used to treat inflammatory bowel disease that helps reduce inflammation.

Mesalamine

An active metabolite of sulfasalazine, used to treat inflammatory bowel conditions.

Immunosuppressive therapy

Therapy aimed at dampening the immune response, often used in autoimmune diseases or organ transplantation.

Phospholipase A2

An enzyme that releases fatty acids from phospholipids, playing a key role in inflammatory processes.

Prostaglandins

Lipids created at the site of tissue damage or infection that promote inflammation.

Hypopituitarism

A condition caused by insufficient production of hormones by the pituitary gland.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, often seen as a side effect of long-term glucocorticoid use.

Hypertension

Raising elevated blood pressure, which can be a side effect of mineralocorticoid activity.

Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome caused by medical treatment, particularly with corticosteroids.

Tapering medication

Gradually decreasing the dose of a medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Acute adrenal insufficiency

A life-threatening condition due to sudden withdrawal of glucocorticoids.

Renin-angiotensin system

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Fluid retention

A condition where excess fluid builds up in the body, commonly caused by mineralocorticoid activity.

Negative feedback mechanism

A process in which a system responds to a change by initiating responses that counteract that change.

Intravenous therapy

Delivery of fluids, medications, or nutrients directly into the bloodstream via a vein.

Surgical intervention

Surgery performed to remove or repair a part of the body, often required in severe cases of disease.

Cytotoxic drugs

Medicines that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

Treatment that enhances or suppresses the immune system to help fight disease.

Glucocorticoids

A class of corticosteroids that affect protein and carbohydrate metabolism and have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities.

Calcineurin inhibitors

A category of immunosuppressants that inhibit calcineurin and are used in organ transplantation.

M-TOR inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), impacting cell growth and metabolism.

Antiproliferative drugs

Agents that inhibit the proliferation of cells, particularly used in cancer treatment.

Biological agents

Therapeutics derived from living organisms, often used in immunotherapy.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid responsible for regulating water and electrolyte balance.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone involved in metabolism and stress response.

IMU suppressants

Drugs that suppress the immune system to prevent rejection of transplanted organs.

Inhibitory actions of glucocorticoids

Include reducing vasodilatation, leukocyte influx, angiogenesis, and cytokine production.

Interleukin-10

An anti-inflammatory cytokine that glucocorticoids can promote the release of.

Annexin-A1

A protein that has anti-inflammatory effects and can be induced by glucocorticoids.

Transcriptional machinery

The cellular components that regulate gene transcription, influenced by steroid-receptor complexes.

Corticosteroid-binding globulin

A protein that binds corticosteroids and regulates their availability in the body.

Dexamethasone

A synthetic glucocorticoid with strong anti-inflammatory properties used for various conditions.

Prednisolone

An active form of prednisone used as a therapeutic glucocorticoid medication.

Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome

A condition resulting from excessive glucocorticoid treatment leading to Cushing-like symptoms.

Glucocorticoid receptor

A type of receptor that binds glucocorticoids and mediates their effects on cells.

Inhibition of COX-2

One of the effects of glucocorticoids that reduces inflammation and pain.

5-ASA

5-aminosalicylic acid, a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, also known as mesalamine.

Ulcerative colitis (UC)

A type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation in the colon.

Crohn’s disease

An inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the GI tract.

Mesalazine

An anti-inflammatory drug used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

NF-κB

A transcription factor involved in inflammatory responses that can be inhibited by glucocorticoids.

Prostaglandins

Lipids that perform various functions, including mediating inflammation, which can be influenced by glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoid response elements

Specific DNA sequences that glucocorticoid receptor complexes bind to, regulating gene expression.

Prednisone

A prodrug that is converted to its active form prednisolone in the liver.

Hypopituitarism

A condition where the pituitary gland fails to produce sufficient hormones, potentially affecting glucocorticoid secretion.

Adrenal insufficiency

A condition resulting from inadequate production of steroid hormones by the adrenal glands.

Cushing’s syndrome

A hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol, synonymous with glucocorticoid excess.

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

A hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.

Hypokalemia

A condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood, which can occur with excessive mineralocorticoid activity.

Osteoporosis

A condition resulting in weak and brittle bones, which can be exacerbated by long-term glucocorticoid use.

Fluid retention

Excess fluid accumulation in the body's tissues, often a side effect of glucocorticoids.

Ineffective immune response

A decreased ability of the immune system to respond appropriately, potentially caused by glucocorticoid therapy.

Serum glucose levels

Blood sugar levels that can increase due to the gluconeogenic effect of glucocorticoids.

Fungal infections

Infections caused by fungi that can be more prevalent in patients on glucocorticoids.

Chronic inflammation

A prolonged inflammation that is a characteristic pathological feature of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

Cytotoxic therapy

Therapies that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, sometimes used alongside glucocorticoids.

Vasoconstriction

The constriction of blood vessels, which glucocorticoids can induce as part of their anti-inflammatory effects.

Skin atrophy

Thinning of the skin often associated with prolonged topical corticosteroid use.

Immune suppression

The reduction of the immune system's capabilities, often a desired effect of glucocorticoid therapy.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs that reduce or inhibit the strength of the body's immune system.

Cytokines

Proteins used for cell signaling in the immune system that can be regulated by glucocorticoids.

Leukotrienes

Inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid metabolism that glucocorticoids can inhibit.

Gastrointestinal tract

The organ system comprising the stomach and intestines, where IBD manifests.

B-lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that is affected by immunosuppressive therapies.

Dexamethasone's action

Reserved for serious conditions due to its potent effects on inflammation and immune response.

Combination therapy

Using more than one type of medication to enhance treatment effects, as seen in glucocorticoid use.

T-cell activation

A process in the immune response that can be modulated by immunosuppressants.