Glükokortikoidi

Glükokortikoidi is the Finnish term for glucocorticoids, which are a class of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates. These hormones play a crucial role in metabolism, immune response, and inflammation. The primary glucocorticoid in humans is cortisol. Glucocorticoids are essential for life and are involved in regulating blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and reducing inflammation. They also influence carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Naturally occurring glucocorticoids are synthesized from cholesterol. In medicine, synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. Their powerful effects on the immune system and inflammation make them valuable therapeutic agents, but they can also have significant side effects, especially with long-term use, such as increased risk of infection, bone thinning, and weight gain. The body tightly regulates the production and release of glucocorticoids through a feedback mechanism involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.