Glucocorticoids (also known as Glucocorticoid, Glucocorticoid Effect): A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a

NIH MeSH · D005938Chemicals and Drugs

Glucocorticoids

Also known asGlucocorticoid · Glucocorticoid Effect · Effect, Glucocorticoid · Glucorticoid Effects · Effects, Glucorticoid

Definition

A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system.

MeSH classification

  • D06.472.040.543
  • D27.505.696.399.472.488

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Related concepts

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids

A group of corticosteroids bearing a hydroxy group at the 11-position.

17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone

A 21-carbon steroid that is converted from PREGNENOLONE by STEROID 17-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE. It is an intermediate in the delta-5 pathway of bio…

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids

A group of hydroxycorticosteroids bearing a hydroxy group at the 17-position. Urinary excretion of these compounds is used as an index of ad…

17-Ketosteroids

Steroids that contain a ketone group at position 17.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone

11 beta,18,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione.

18-Hydroxydesoxycorticosterone

An analog of desoxycorticosterone which is substituted by a hydroxyl group at the C-18 position.

Common questions about Glucocorticoids

What does Glucocorticoids mean in medicine?
A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Glucocorticoids known by any other names?
Yes. Glucocorticoids is also referred to as Glucocorticoid, Glucocorticoid Effect, Effect, Glucocorticoid, Glucorticoid Effects in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Glucocorticoids sit in the medical classification?
Glucocorticoids falls under the broader medical category "Chemicals and Drugs" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: D06.472.040.543, D27.505.696.399.472.488). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Glucocorticoids?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D005938) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗