16
maintaining normal function of vascular system. Cortisol secretion rises during
anxiety and in patients having adrenal insufficiency, the deficiency of this response
leads to hypotension that ultimately results in death. Glucocorticoids have certain
mineralocorticoid action as well. It has been found that they bear anti-inflammatory
activities and can stamp down responses of immune system [6].
Mineralocorticoids
Aldosterone and other steroidal mineralocorticoid (deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone) increase sodium reabsorption, acting primarily on distal tubules of kidneys,
leaving sodium in the extracellular fluid. Actually, sodium is replaced with potassium as well as hydrogen, eventually results in potassium excretion in urine and
acidic urine. In the case of adrenal inefficiency, potassium is retained, while sodium
is excreted in the urine that results in elevated level of potassium in plasma and
hypovolemia, leading to hypotension and circulatory insufficiency.
Fig. 1.5 The regulation of glucocorticoids
A. Ahsan et al.