Antiglucocorticoid

Antiglucocorticoid (pronunciation: an-ti-gloo-ko-kor-ti-koid) is a type of drug that opposes the effects of glucocorticoids, a class of steroid hormones involved in various physiological processes such as stress response, immune response, and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior.

Etymology

The term "antiglucocorticoid" is derived from the prefix "anti-", meaning against, and "glucocorticoid", referring to the class of steroid hormones it acts against.

Mechanism of Action

Antiglucocorticoids work by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, thereby inhibiting the action of glucocorticoids. This can be beneficial in conditions where there is an overproduction of glucocorticoids, such as in Cushing's syndrome.

Examples

Examples of antiglucocorticoids include mifepristone (also known as RU-486), which is used for medical abortions and in the treatment of Cushing's syndrome, and ketoconazole, an antifungal medication that also has antiglucocorticoid properties.

Related Terms

Glucocorticoid: A class of steroid hormones that antiglucocorticoids act against.
Glucocorticoid receptor: The receptor to which both glucocorticoids and antiglucocorticoids bind.
Cushing's syndrome: A condition characterized by an overproduction of glucocorticoids, which can be treated with antiglucocorticoids.
Mifepristone: An example of an antiglucocorticoid.
Ketoconazole: An antifungal medication with antiglucocorticoid properties.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Antiglucocorticoid
Wikipedia's article - Antiglucocorticoid

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Antiglucocorticoid