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Corticosteroid

Corticosteroid
Drug class
Cortisol2.svg
Cortisol (hydrocortisone), a corticosteroid with both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity and effects.
Class identifiers
Synonyms Corticoid
Use Various
ATC code H02
Biological target Corticosteroid receptor
Chemical class Steroids

Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involved in a wide range of physiologic processes, including stress response, immune response, and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior.

Some common naturally occurring steroid hormones are cortisol (C
21
H
30
O
5
), corticosterone (C
21
H
30
O
4
), cortisone (C
21
H
28
O
5
) and aldosterone (C
21
H
28
O
5
). (Note that aldosterone and cortisone share the same chemical formula but the structures are different.) The main corticosteroids produced by the adrenal cortex are cortisol and aldosterone.


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