Synthetic drugs with corticosteroid-like effect are used in a variety of conditions, ranging from brain tumors to skin diseases. Dexamethasone and its derivatives are almost pure glucocorticoids, while prednisone and its derivatives have some mineralocorticoid action in addition to the glucocorticoid effect. Fludrocortisone (Florinef®) is a synthetic mineralocorticoid. Hydrocortisone (cortisol) is available for replacement therapy, e.g. in adrenal insufficie ...

See also:

Corticosteroid, Corticosteroid - Uses, Corticosteroid - History

Read more here: » Corticosteroid: Encyclopedia II - Corticosteroid - Uses

Apart from high blood pressure, the symptoms may include muscle cramps and headaches (due to the low potassium), metabolic alkalosis (due to increased production of bicarbonate in the kidney). The high pH of the blood makes calcium less available to the tissues and causes symptoms of hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). It can be mimicked by liquorice ingestion (glycyrrhizin) and Liddle syndrome. ...

See also:

Conn's syndrome, Conn's syndrome - Signs symptoms and findings, Conn's syndrome - Diagnosis, Conn's syndrome - Causes, Conn's syndrome - Therapy, Conn's syndrome - Reference

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Calcitonin is a a 32 amino acid polypeptide hormone that is produced in humans primarily by the C cells of the thyroid, and in many other animals in the ultimobranchial body. Calcitonin - Synthesis. It is formed by proteolytic cleavage of a larger prepropeptide which is the product of the CALC1 gene, which itself is part of a superfamily of related protein hormone precusors including Islet Amyloid Precursor Protein, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and the precursor of Adrenomedullin.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as arginine vasopressin (AVP), is a hormone that is mainly released when the body is low on water; it causes the kidneys to save water by concentrating the urine and is also involved in the creation of thirst. It is a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus, and stored in the posterior part of the pituitary gland. Antidiuretic hormone - Physiology. Antidiuretic hormone - Control. ADH is activated by "water r ...

Including:

• Antidiuretic hormone - Physiology
• Antidiuretic hormone - Control
• Antidiuretic hormone - Actions
• Antidiuretic hormone - Structure and relation to oxytocin
• Antidiuretic hormone - Pharmacology
• Antidiuretic hormone - Role in disease

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A hormone (from Greek horman - "to set in motion") is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones (including plants - see article phytohormone). The best-known animal (and human) hormones are those produced by endocrine glands of vertebrate animals, but hormones are produced by nearly every organ system and tissue type in a human or animal body. Hormone molecules are secreted (released) directly into the bloodstream (however, some hormones, called ...

Including:

• Hormone - History
• Hormone - Physiology of hormones
• Hormone - Types of hormones
• Hormone - Pharmacology
• Hormone - Important human hormones
• Hormone - Amine hormones
• Hormone - Peptide hormones
• Hormone - Steroid and sterol hormones
• Hormone - Lipid hormones
• Hormone - Reference

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An antiandrogen, or androgen antagonist, is any of a group of hormone antagonist compounds that are capable of preventing or inhibiting the biologic effects of androgens, male sex hormones, on normally responsive tissues in the body (see androgen insensitivity syndrome). Antiandrogens usually work by blocking the appropriate receptors, competing for binding sites on the cell's surface, obstructing the androgens' pathway. Antiandrogens are often indicated to treat severe male sexual disorders, such as hypersexuality (exce ...

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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from defects in steps of the synthesis of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Most of these diseases involve excessive or defective production of sex steroids and can pervert or impair development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in affected infants, children, and adults. Only a small minority of people with CAH can be said to have an intersex condition, but this attracted American public attention in the late 1990s and ...

Including:

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Overview of the multiple types of CAH
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Genetics
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Biochemistry
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - History

Read more here: » Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Encyclopedia - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), also called corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) or corticoliberin, is a polypeptide hormone involved in the stress response. It is produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates corticotropic cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary to produce ACTH and other biologically active substances (for example β-endorphin). CRH is also synthes ...

Including:

• Corticotropin-releasing hormone - Reference

Read more here: » Corticotropin-releasing hormone: Encyclopedia - Corticotropin-releasing hormone

Conn's syndrome is overproduction of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone by the adrenal glands. Aldosterone causes sodium and water retention and potassium excretion in the kidneys, leading to arterial hypertension (high blood pressure). It is a rare but recognised cause of nonessential hypertension. It is named after Dr Jerome W. Conn (1907-1981), the American endocrinologist who first described the condition in 1955. It is the most common form of primary Hyperaldosteronism. Conn's syndrome - Signs symptoms and fi ...

Including:

• Conn's syndrome - Signs symptoms and findings
• Conn's syndrome - Diagnosis
• Conn's syndrome - Causes
• Conn's syndrome - Therapy
• Conn's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Conn's syndrome: Encyclopedia - Conn's syndrome

Angiotensinogen, angiotensin I (CAS# 9041-90-1) and angiotensin II (CAS# 11128-99-7) are peptides involved in maintenance of blood volume and pressure. They play an important role in the renin-angiotensin system. Angiotensin - Angiotensinogen. Angiotensinogen is the precursor molecule, and it is produced constitutively and released into the circulation mainly by the liver although other sites have been thought to contribute to local effects of the molecule. Biochemically it is a member of the ...

Including:

• Angiotensin - Angiotensinogen
• Angiotensin - Angiotensin I
• Angiotensin - Angiotensin II
• Angiotensin - Effects of Angiotensin II
• Angiotensin - Vascular
• Angiotensin - Brain
• Angiotensin - Adrenals
• Angiotensin - Renal
• Angiotensin - Other
• Angiotensin - Angiotensin III & IV

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In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands or colloquially as kidney hats) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys; their name indicates that position (ad, "near" or "at" + renes, "kidneys"). They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline. Adrenal gland - Overview. Anatomically, the adrenal glands are located in the abdome ...

Including:

• Adrenal gland - Overview
• Adrenal gland - Adrenal medulla
• Adrenal gland - Adrenal cortex
• Adrenal gland - Zona glomerulosa
• Adrenal gland - Zona fasciculata
• Adrenal gland - Zona reticularis
• Adrenal gland - Pathology
• Adrenal gland - Blood supply
• Adrenal gland - Related topics

Read more here: » Adrenal gland: Encyclopedia - Adrenal gland

The endocrine system is a control system of ductless endocrine glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the bloodstream to affect distant organs. It does not include exocrine glands such as salivary glands, sweat glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract. The field of medicine that deals with disorders of endocrine glands is endocrinology, a branch of the wider field of internal medicine. Endocrine system - Physiology. The endocrine s ...

Including:

• Endocrine system - Physiology
• Endocrine system - Table of endocrine glands and the hormones secreted
• Endocrine system - In both sexes:
• Endocrine system - In males only
• Endocrine system - In females only
• Endocrine system - Role in disease

Read more here: » Endocrine system: Encyclopedia - Endocrine system

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised (from POMC, pre-opiomelanocortin) and secreted from corticotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to the hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) released by the hypothalamus. ACTH stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also mineralcorticoids and sex steroids (androgens). Together with ACTH the hormones lipotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin and met-enkephalin are also release ...

Including:

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone - Related topics

Read more here: » Adrenocorticotropic hormone: Encyclopedia - Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Cushing's syndrome or hypercortisolism is an endocrine disorder caused by excessive levels of the endogenous corticosteroid hormone cortisol. It may also be induced iatrogenically by treatment with exogenous corticosteroids for other medical conditions. It was discovered by American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) and reported by him in 1932. Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms. Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing o ...

Including:

• Cushing's syndrome - Signs and symptoms
• Cushing's syndrome - Diagnosis
• Cushing's syndrome - Pathophysiology
• Cushing's syndrome - Therapy
• Cushing's syndrome - Epidemiology
• Cushing's syndrome - Reference

Read more here: » Cushing's syndrome: Encyclopedia - Cushing's syndrome

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder, first described by British physician Thomas Addison. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone. Addison's disease refers specifically to primary adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands themselves malfunc ...

Including:

• Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms
• Addison's disease - Early signs
• Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis
• Addison's disease - Diagnosis
• Addison's disease - Pathophysiology
• Addison's disease - Treatment
• Addison's disease - Famous patients
• Addison's disease - In animals
• Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia - Addison's disease

The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. Part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. The medical field that studies the kidneys and diseases affecting the kidney is called nephrology, from the Greek name for the kidney; the adjective meaning "kidney-related" is renal, from the Latin. Kidney - Location. In humans, the kidneys are located in the posterior part of the abdomen. There is one on eac ...

Including:

• Kidney - Location
• Kidney - Structure
• Kidney - Organization
• Kidney - Nephron
• Kidney - Collecting duct system
• Kidney - Functions
• Kidney - Excretion of waste products
• Kidney - Homeostasis
• Kidney - Hormone secretion
• Kidney - Terms
• Kidney - Diseases and disorders
• Kidney - Congenital
• Kidney - Acquired
• Kidney - Dialysis and kidney transplants
• Kidney - Medical terminology

Read more here: » Kidney: Encyclopedia - Kidney

Cholesterol is a steroid, a lipid, and an alcohol, found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Most cholesterol is not dietary in origin, it is synthesized internally. Cholesterol is present in higher concentrations in tissues which either produce more or have more densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord, brain and atheroma. Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemical processes, but is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease with v ...

Including:

• Cholesterol - History of the name
• Cholesterol - Physiology
• Cholesterol - Synthesis and intake
• Cholesterol - Properties
• Cholesterol - Regulation
• Cholesterol - Function
• Cholesterol - Excretion
• Cholesterol - Role in atheromatous disease
• Cholesterol - Cholesteric liquid crystals
• Cholesterol - Sources

Read more here: » Cholesterol: Encyclopedia - Cholesterol

Cortisol (hydrocortisone) Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system. Synthetic cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, is used as a drug mainly to fight allergies and inflammation. Cortisol - Synthesis. Cortisol is synthesized from progesterone, the precursor of all steroid hormones. The conversion involves hydroxylation of C-11, C-17 and C-21. The s ...

Including:

• Cortisol - Synthesis
• Cortisol - Physiology
• Cortisol - Pharmacology
• Cortisol - Diseases

Read more here: » Cortisol: Encyclopedia - Cortisol

In physiology, corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior. Glucocorticoids such as cortisol control carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and are anti-inflammatory by preventing phospholipid release, decreasing eosinophil action and a number of o ...

Including:

• Corticosteroid - Uses
• Corticosteroid - History

Read more here: » Corticosteroid: Encyclopedia - Corticosteroid

In medicine (gastroenterology), ascites is a accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Although unpleasant, it is not intrinsically harmful. Nevertheless, its causes and complications are both significant medical problems. Ascites - Signs and symptoms. Mild ascites is hard to notice, but severe ascites leads to abdominal distension. In patients with ascites, a doctor will attempt to identify causes, such as a history of liver disease, other signs of portal hypertension or signs of tuberculosis or neph ...

Including:

• Ascites - Signs and symptoms
• Ascites - Diagnosis
• Ascites - Classification
• Ascites - Pathophysiology
• Ascites - Causes
• Ascites - Treatment
• Ascites - Cultural significance
• Ascites - Source

Read more here: » Ascites: Encyclopedia - Ascites