Corticosteroids and Steroid Therapy: New Research

(Pharmacology-Research, Safety Testing and Regulation)

by Carmen Adkins (Editor)

Corticosteroids (CS) are naturally occurring biomolecules produced in the adrenal cortex and have a multitude of roles which includes carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, inflammation and regulation of water, electrolyte etc. Based on their functions, steroids are classified as glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids, and only the former have anti-inflammatory properties which have been chemically modified to produce potent anti-inflammatory drugs which also retain the metabolic and bone effects of the primary chemical. This book provides new research which includes the role of corticosteroids in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, adenoids, chronic subdural hematoma, osteonecrosis, and autoimmune diseases.