Glucocorticoids (GC) are steroid hormones produced in the adrenal zona
fasciculata under the stimulatory influence of anterior pituitary-derived
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). GC influence a variety of important
physiological phenomena including carbohydrate, protein and lipid
metabolism, water and electrolyte balances, inflammatory and immune
reactions, and regulation of endocrine networks. GC are also essential to
the adaptation process of an organism to stressful situations by maintaining
a permanent energy supply for brain functions, which is mainly
based on the induction of gluconeogenesis and peripheral mobilization
of amino acids. These powerful activities demand that GC production
and expression of their receptor are tightly regulated. Therapeutically, GC
are used widely in the management of such diverse disorders as cancer,
chronic and acute inflammation, autoimmune and endocrine diseases,
AIDS, transplant rejections, various shock forms and other pathological
conditions (reviewed in Labhart 1986).