Difference Between Glucocorticoids and Corticosteroids

Key Difference – Glucocorticoidsvs Corticosteroids

The corticosteroids are highly specific class ofsteroidshormonesthat are produced by the adrenal cortex of thevertebrates. Nowadays synthetic analogues for these steroid hormones are profoundly found in the market. There are two main types of corticosteroids namely Glucocorticoids and Mineralcorticoids. These hormones are having range of physiological functions in the human body. These include stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation process, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein metabolism, balancing bloodelectrolyte水平和调节行为特征。螺旋器sol (C₂₁H₃₀O₅), corticosterone (C₂₁H₃₀O₄) and可的松(C₂₁H₂₈O₅) are some of the naturally occurring glucocorticoids. On the other hand,aldosterone(C₂₁H₂₈O₅) is a naturally occurring mineralcorticoid. Though cortisone and aldosterone have same chemical formula, they are found to be structurally different. Therefore, thekey differencebetween glucocorticoids and corticosteroids is,glucocorticoids are referred to only one type of corticosteroid. On the other hand, corticosteroids are referred to both glucocorticoids and mineralcorticoids collectively.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What are Glucocorticoids
3.What are Corticosteroids
4.Similarities Between Glucocorticoid and Corticosteroid
5.Side by Side Comparison – Glucocorticoids vs Corticosteroids in Tabular Form
6.Summary

What are Glucocorticoids?

Glucocorticoids are the class of steroids hormones that are produced from Zona Fasciculata of adrenal cortex of vertebrate. These hormones bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR-receptor) in vertebrate animal cells. This specific binding (GR complex) activates anti-inflammatory proteins in thenucleus. And represses the pro anti-inflammatory proteins in thecytosolby preventing translocation of other transcription factors from the cytosol into the nucleus.

The glucocorticoids are different from mineralocorticoids and sex steroids because of their distinguished receptors, target cells, and physiological function. Cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone are some of the naturally occurring glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are under the tight control of ACTH of the adenohypophysis. Dexamethasone (using in skin diseases,asthma) and Hydrocortisone (using in adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenalhyperplasia) are pure derivatives of glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids are shown following specific functions,

• These hormones are regulating carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism.
• They stimulategluconeogenesis.
• They stimulate anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect.
• These hormones are involving in repairing injuries and managing stress response.
• They usually dull pain.

What are Corticosteroids?

螺旋器costeroids are the class of steroids hormones that are generated from both Zona Fasciculata and Zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex. These include glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids (Cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone) stimulate and control carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. They also have anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, immunosuppressive and vasoconstrictive effects. Anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by inducing anti-inflammatory mediators.

The anti-proliferative effect is mediated by the inhibition of DNA synthesis. The immunosuppressive effect is mediated by suppressing delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The vasoconstrictive effect is mediated by inhibiting the inflammatory mediators such as histidine.

Mineralocorticoids

Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone control and regulate the electrolytes and water balance of the human body by modulating the ion transport in theepithelial cellsof renal tubes of the kidney.

Fludrocortisone(that are used in adrenogenital syndrome and postural hypotension) is a derivative of mineralocorticoids.Prednisone(that are used inautoimmune diseasesand allergic reactions) has both characters of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.

What are the Similarities Between Glucocorticoid and Corticosteroid?

• Glucocorticoid and corticosteroid are both steroids hormones.
• They are produced by the adrenal cortex of vertebrates.
• Glucocorticoid and corticosteroid are both helpful in repairing injuries and managing stresses.
• Glucocorticoid and corticosteroid are both having typical “Sterane” ring.

What is the Difference Between Glucocorticoid and Corticosteroid?

Glucocorticoid vs Corticosteroid
Glucocorticoid is an only one type of corticosteroid that is generated from Zona Fasciculata of adrenal cortex of vertebrate.	螺旋器costeroid referred to both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid that are produced from both Zona Fasciculata and Zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex of vertebrate.
Physiological Function
糖皮质激素调节碳水化合物,fat, and protein metabolisms.	螺旋器costeroids control all metabolic processes pertaining to carbohydrate, fat, protein and regulated electrolytes and water balance of human body.
Specific Function
Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic.	螺旋器costeroids are anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, immunosuppressive and vasoconstrictive.
Synthetic Derivatives
Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone are synthetic derivatives of glucocorticoids.	Fludrocortisone is a synthetic derivative of corticosteroids.

Summary – Glucocorticoidsvs Corticosteroids

Glucocorticoids are only one type of corticosteroid. On the other hand, corticosteroids are two types, 1. Glucocorticoid 2. Mineralocorticoid. They are distinguished based on the physiological function. Glucocorticoids regulate carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Corticosteroids apart from regulating metabolism they also control electrolytes and water balance in the human body. Both glucocorticoids and corticosteroids are showing anti-inflammatory responses. This can be identified as the difference between Glucocorticoids and Corticosteroids.

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Reference:

1.Miller-Larsson and O. Selroos. “Advances in Asthma and COPD Treatment: Combination Therapy with Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting β2-Agonists.”, 31 Aug. 2006.Available here
2.Coutinho, Agnes E., and Karen E. Chapman. “The anti-Inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids, recent developments, and mechanistic insights.” Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, North Holland Publishing, 15 Mar. 2011.Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’ХПА-оска на стрес во мозокот’ By Dorine Feldker – Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts.(CC BY-SA 4.0)viaCommons Wikimedia
2.’Corticosteroidpic1′ By Original: Jean-Etienne Poirrier. Edited: Stefan Larkins.(CC BY-SA 2.5)viaCommons Wikimedia