Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. It regulates carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. It has metabolic effects such as stimulating gluconeogenesis and lipolysis. Cortisol also helps regulate water and electrolyte balance as well as having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and stress response effects. It works through various mechanisms including increasing response to catecholamines and inhibiting inflammatory reactions.

1. CORTISOL HORMONE
Cortisol hormone

2. Adrenal gland
Adrenal gland
cortex
Medulla
cortisol
aldosteron
e
Androgen adrenaline noradrenaline
dopamin
e

3. Cortisol
:
Is a steroid hormone which is secreted from the
adrenal cortex of adrenal gland , and regulate the
metabolism of carbohydrates ,proteins and lipids
and has many other functions in the body .

4. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
1- metabolic effect :
Carbohydrates metabolism
Stimulation of
gluconeogenesis
Anti-insulin effect
Activation of glucose
6-phosphate
A

5. z
1- Metabolic effect
Fat metabolism :
Lipolysis
Lipaemia
Ketogenesis
ketosis
Deposition of fat
B

6. 1- Metabolic effect
Proteins metabolism :
In extra hepatic
tissue
In hepatic tissue

7. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
2- water and electrolytes balance :
a) Diuretic action: Glucocorticoids increase the excretion of
water in urine by :
- Inhibiting secretion of ADH.
- Increasing the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
- Decreasing the permeability of distal renal tubules to water.
b) Electrolyte metabolism:
Glucocorticoids have a weak mineralocorticoid activity.
In water :

8. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
• Decrease lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil count.
• Increase neutrophil, R.B.Cs and platelet count.
• Decrease the output of T-lymphocytes and antibodies.
Decrease the size of lymph nodes and spleen.
3-Blood cells and lymphatic
tissues

9. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
• 4- Anti-inflammatory effect:
• Glucocorticoids in large doses inhibit inflammatory
reactions because they:
(a) Inhibiting release of the lysosomal enzymes
(b) Formation of leukotriene and interleukins
(c) Decreasing the capillary permeability

10. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
5- Anti-allergic effect:
• Glucocorticoids in large doses suppress all manifestations
of allergy by preventing release of histamine from the mast
cells.

11. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
Through:
• a -Increasing the response to catecholamine.
• b- Extra hepatic mobilization of A.As and their
uptake by the liver cells for synthesis of essential
substance.
• c- Mobilization of fatty acids as a source for energy
during emergency.
• d- Inhibiting the formation of prostacyclin.
6- resistance to stress :

12. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
7- Permissive action :
– Glucagon hormone to produce gluconeogenesis.
– Catecholamine to produce their V.C, lipolytic, calorigenic and
bronchodilator.

13. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
8- Effect on the respiratory system:
During fetal life, the glucocorticoids accelerate the
formation of surfactant in the lungs.
9-Effect on other hormones:
Glucocorticoids decrease the secretion of growth
hormone and TSH.

14. Action of cortisol (glucocorticoids):
10-Other action of glucocorticoids:
• a) Increase appetite.
• b) Stimulate gastric HCl and pepsin
secretion.
• c) Increase excitability of brain cells.