Cortisol

Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 14:42:36

Cortisol is a steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid class of hormones and a stress hormone. When used as medication, it is known as hydrocortisone.

It is produced in many animals, mainly by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in an adrenal gland.^[1] In other tissues, it is produced in lower quantities.^[2] By a diurnal cycle, cortisol is released and increases in response to stress and a low blood-glucose concentration.^[1] It functions to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, suppress the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of calories.^[3] It also decreases bone formation.^[4] These stated functions are carried out by cortisol binding to glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptors inside a cell, which then bind to DNA to affect gene expression.^[1][5]