Cortisol

Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system.

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Synthetic cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, is used as a drug mainly to fight allergies and inflammation.

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Cortisol is synthesized from progesterone, the precursor of all steroid hormones. The conversion involves hydroxylation of C-11, C-17 and C-21. The synthesis takes place in the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal glands. While the adrenal cortex also produces aldosterone (in the zona glomerulosa) and some sex hormones (in the zona reticulosa), cortisol is its main secretion. (The name cortisol comes from cortex.)

Corticosteroid: In physiology, corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood elec...

Hormone: A hormone (from Greek horman - "to set in motion") is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones (including plants - see article phytohormone)....

Stress: Stress has different meanings in different fields:...