Endocrine Abstracts

Background: One percent of the adult population are, at any one time, prescribed oral glucocorticoids (GC). GCs are known to be associated with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression. However, there remains uncertainty regarding: i) the prevalence of GC-induced adrenal insufficiency (AI); ii) the effects of GC dose and duration; and iii) the time course of adrenal recovery and how GCs should be withdrawn. We undertook a systematic literature review to addres...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to regulate immunity, energy metabolism, and tissue repair. The inactive GR is held in the cytoplasm in a multi-protein complex, which upon ligand binding undergoes a conformational change. Activated GR translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression (over hours), but some effects occur more rapidly. GCs inhibit cell migration through an uncertain mechanism. We now show a very rapid effect, and surprisi...