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Adrenal steroids. Dr Sanjeewani Fonseka Department of Pharmacology. Objectives. Recall the physiological effect of adrenocortical steroids Describe the anti- inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids
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Adrenal steroids Dr SanjeewaniFonseka Department of Pharmacology
Objectives • Recall the physiological effect of adrenocortical steroids • Describe the anti- inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids • Compare the relative potency, glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid activity and duration of action of commonly available steroid drugs • List clinical uses and adverse effects of glucocorticoid drugs • Explain the principles underling replacement therapy in adrenocortical insufficiency • Describe the precautions that can be taken to minimize the adverse effects of long-term steroid therapy
Endogenous Glucocorticoids Hydrocortisone Corticosterone
Glucocorticoids Kinetics: • Well absorbed orally • Bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin and albumin • Distributed all over the body & passes the BBB • In the liver, cortisol is reversibly converted to cortisone & conjugated with glucuronic & sulfuric acid • Excreted in urine as 17-hydroxy corticosteroids
Action of glucocorticoids • Metabolic • Anti-inflammatory • Immunosuppressive
Actions • Carbohydrate • Protein • Lipid • Electrolyte and H2O • CVS • Skeletal Muscle • CNS • Stomach • Blood • Anti-inflammatory • Immunosuppressant • Growth and Cell Division • Calcium metabolism
Carbohydrate metabolism • Gluconeogenesis • Peripheral actions (mobilize glucose and glycogen) • Hepatic actions • Peripheral utilization of glucose • Glycogen deposition in liver (activation of hepatic glycogen synthase) hyperglycemia
protein metabolism Negative nitrogen balance • Decreased protein synthesis • Increased protein breakdown
Skeletal Muscles Needed for maintaining the normal function of Skeletal muscle Addison's disease: weakness and fatigue is due to Prolonged use: inadequacy of circulatory system Steroid myopathy
Lipid metabolism • Redistribution of Fat
Electrolyte and water balance Act on DT and CD of kidney • Na+ reabsorption • Urinary excretion of K+ and H+
CNS • Direct • Mood • Behavior • Brain excitability • Indirect • maintain glucose, circulation and electrolyte balance
Stomach • Acid and pepsin secretion • immune response to H.Pylori
Blood RBC: Hb and RBC content (erythrophagocytosis) WBC: Lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, basophils Polymorphonucleocytes
Actions on inflammatory cells • Recruitment of N, monocytes, macrophage into affected area • Action of fibroblasts • T helper action • Osteoblast • osteoclast
Inflammatory mediators • Reduced cytokines • Reduced complement • Reduced histamine
Anti-inflammatory actions of corticosteroids Corticosteroid inhibitory effect
Growth and Cell division • Inhibit cell division or synthesis of DNA • Delay the process of healing • Retard the growth of children
Calcium metabolism • Intestinal absorption • Renal excretion • Excessive loss of calcium from bones (e.g., vertebrae, ribs, etc) • Osteoporosis
Pharmacological Actions • synthetic glucocorticoids are used because they have a higher affinity for the receptor • have little or no salt-retaining properties.
Clinical uses • Replacement therapy • Immunosuppressive / anti-inflammatory therapy • Neoplastic disease
Types of Steroids Replacement Therapy • glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone) • mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone)
Anti-inflammatory Therapy • Short acting: hydrocortisone • Intermediate acting: prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone • Long acting: dexamethasone
Side effects • Not seen in replacement therapy • Seen if used for anti-inflammatory property • Excess of physiological actions
Adverse effects (long term) • Glucose intolerance • Acne • Hypertension, edema • Susceptibility to infection (TB, fungal) • Myopathy • Behavior & mood changes
Adverse effects (long term) • Avascular necrosis of bone • Cataract • Peptic ulcer • Skin atrophy, delayed wound healing • Growth retardation (children) • Suppression of HPA axis
Drug interactions • Estrogens - decrease prednisone clearance • Phenobarbital, phenytoin, and rifampicin - increase metabolism of glucocorticoids • May cause digitalis toxicity secondary to hypokalemia • Monitor for hypokalemia with co-administration of diuretics
Read Monitoring while on steroids Pregnancy and steroids Infections and long term steroid Surgery and steroids
long term steroids • Monitor BP, electrolyte and blood sugar • Advise moderate exercise • Bone protection measures • Gastric protection if needed
Give morning dose • Every other day • Minimum effective dose • Steroid sparing agents
Read • Mineralocorticoids – action, side effects, clinical uses