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Corticoid, typically found in the adrenal gland, can be defined as any group that holds 40 organic compounds belonging to the family of steroids. Only six out of all corticoids apparently work as hormones and are produced in the bloodstream. Later, they are transported to tissues of the living body where they are responsible for further generating physiological responses.
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Key Terms: Corticoid, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Mineralocorticoids, Glucocorticoids, Cortisone, Adrenal Gland
What is Corticoid?
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Corticoids are one of the many chemically relevant steroid hormones found in the living body. Typically part of the steroid family and present in the adrenal gland, these are any group comprising 40 organic compounds. Only about six out of all act as hormones and are commonly produced in the bloodstream. Responsible for exhibiting physiological responses, corticoids are then transported to tissues of the body.
Corticosteroids (corticoids) are a distinct hormone class that serve as steroids. Usually generated in the adrenal cortex of a vertebrate, this class of hormones commonly act as synthetic analogs. Corticosteroid hormones, apart from eliciting several metabolic functions, are widely also used in curing different types of inflammation in the living body.
Out of many, a few corticosteroid hormones which occur naturally are Aldosterone (C21H28O5), Corticosterone (C21H30O4) Cortisone (C21H28O5) and Cortisol (C21H30O5). Apart from the active hormones, the ones that aren’t usually serve as an intermediate for hormone biosynthesis from cholesterol. Usually, these hormones can be classified into two segments, Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids.
Corticosteroid
Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids belong to the family of cortisol, typically responsible for the storage of glycogen (otherwise known as glucose but in a stored form) in the liver for the maintenance of blood sugar concentration of the living body. Ideally, it is also found responsible to convert fats into carbohydrates in a way that it can further produce the required energy for the body. In a nutshell, the pituitary gland generates Adrenocorticotropic Hormone which usually aids the formation of glucocorticoids.
Glucocorticoid
Mineralocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids are a part of steroid hormones usually aiding the regulation of salt and water balances. Aldosterone is now known as the fundamental mineralocorticoid. In simple words, mineralocorticoids are responsible for the transfer of sodium and potassium, typically followed by variation in water balance. It is an essential function to sustain life.
Mineralocorticoids
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Medicinal Applications of Corticoid
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- Corticosteroids (corticoids) are widely used to provide relief from inflammatory responses of the body.
- Glucocorticoids help regulate the blood sugar concentration in the living body usually by means of storing glycogen in the liver.
- Mineralocorticoids, which is another classification of corticoids, aids the regulation of sodium metabolism in mammals. It simultaneously keeps check of magnesium excretion via urine.
- Hydrocortisone, which belongs from the family of cortisol, is also widely used for curing congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal insufficiency.
- It helps treat a number of diseases, much like lupus, asthma, hay fever, hives, eczema – among multiple others.
Physical Properties of Corticoid
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Some of the physical properties of Corticoid are tabulated below.
| Physical Properties | Property Values |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 220 °C |
| Boiling Point | 567 ± 50 °C (kept at 70 mm Hg) |
| Molecular Weight | 360.4 g/mol |
| Vaporization Enthalpy | 97.7 ± 6 Kj/mol |
| Vapor Point | 0.0 ± 3.5 mm Hg (25 °C) |
| Flash Point | 311.2 ± 26.6 °C |
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Chemical Properties of Corticoids
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Some of the chemical properties of Corticoid are tabulated below.
| Chemical Properties | Property Values |
|---|---|
| Molar Volume | 280.3 ± 0.5 cm3 |
| Molar Refractivity | 94.2 ± 0.4 cm2 |
| Log P | 1.44 |
| Refraction Index | 1.587 |
| Surface Tension | 56.8 ± 5.0 dyn/cm |
| Hydrogen Bond (Acceptor) | 5 |
| Hydrogen Bond (Donor) | 2 |
Apart from these few, there are several other chemical properties of corticoids, mainly like its polarizability (37.3 ± 0.5*10-24 cm3), polar surface area (92 Å2).
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Adverse Effects of Corticoids
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- If corticosteroids (corticoids) are present in high concentration, it can result in muscle fatigue, high blood pressure, loss of potassium, face puffiness, cataract, among many others.
- One of the major adverse effects of corticoids includes glaucoma as well.
- Corticoids can stimulate the retention of sodium chloride, colloquially known as salt, from the body, resulting in weight gain and swelling of legs (edema).
- Cortisol can potentially suppress the immune system, thus its presence in high amounts can actively promote low immunity, which can adversely hinder the potency of vaccines and antibiotics.
- If used long term, corticoids can cause calcium deficit in the body, leading to osteoporosis and potential bone fracture.
Things to Remember
- Corticoid, or corticosteroid, holds 40 organic compounds belonging to the family of steroids.
- Typically found in the adrenal gland, corticoids are widely utilized for offering relief from inflammatory conditions.
- Out of many, a few corticosteroid hormones that occur naturally are Aldosterone (C21H28O5), Corticosterone (C21H30O4) Cortisone (C21H28O5) and Cortisol (C21H30O5).
- Corticoids aid a number of diseases, like lupus, asthma, hay fever, hives, eczema – among multiple others.
- Corticosteroid hormones can be classified into two segments, Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids.
Sample Questions
Ques. Write a brief note on the definition of Corticoid. [2 Marks]
Ans. Corticoids fall among many chemically relevant steroid hormones found in the living body. Broadly a part of the steroid family and present in the adrenal gland, these are any group comprising 40 organic compounds. Only about six out of all act as hormones and are usually produced in the bloodstream. This hormone is also humanly synthesized, helping reduce inflammation and swelling in the body, further minimizing the body’s immune response.
Ques. What are the salient types of steroids found in a living body? [4 Marks]
Ans. The salient steroid hormones found in the living body are,
- Progesterone: Progesterone, which is an endogenous steroid, is typically released by the ovaries in a female body.
- Corticosteroids: These are naturally occurring or human-synthesized steroid hormones aiding inflammation and swelling in the body.
- Estrogen: Estrogen is a hormone group that plays a pivotal role in the reproductive development of women.
- Androgens: Typically found in males, Androgens are a group of sex hormones too that play a pivotal role in reproductive development.
Ques. List at least three major physical properties of Corticoids. [3 Marks]
Ans. The three major physical properties found in Corticoids include,
| Physical Properties | Property Values |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 220 °C |
| Boiling Point | 567 ± 50 °C (kept at 70 mm Hg) |
| Molecular Weight | 360.4 g/mol |
Ques. List some of the major chemical properties of Corticoids in a tabular method. [5 Marks]
Ans. Some of the major Chemical properties found in Corticoids include,
| Chemical Properties | Property Values |
|---|---|
| Molar Volume | 280.3 ± 0.5 cm3 |
| Molar Refractivity | 94.2 ± 0.4 cm2 |
| Log P | 1.44 |
| Refraction Index | 1.587 |
| Polarizability | 37.3 ± 0.5*10-24 cm3 |
Ques. Name a few naturally occurring Corticosteroids. [2 Marks]
Ans. There are multiple naturally occurring Corticosteroids found in the living body. Some of the major ones to name are Aldosterone (C21H28O5), Corticosterone (C21H30O4) Cortisone (C21H28O5) and Cortisol (C21H30O5). These are classes of steroid hormones directed at minimizing inflammatory responses and swelling in the body.
Ques. Represent three major medicinal uses of Corticoids which are found in abundance now. [3 Marks]
Ans. There are several medicinal uses of Corticoids found in the industry now. Some of them include,
- Mineralocorticoids, which are a part of corticoids, regulate sodium metabolism in mammals. Besides, it also keeps check of magnesium excretion via urine.
- Hydrocortisone, a major part of the cortisol family, is also widely used for curing congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal insufficiency.
- It helps treat a number of diseases, like inflammation, lupus, asthma, hay fever, hives, eczema – among multiple others.
Ques. What are the two major types of Corticoids? Elaborate and show their structure briefly. [5 marks]
Ans. The two major types of Corticoids are Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids. They can be defined as,
- Mineralocorticoids: These are a part of steroid hormones helping regulate salt and water balances. Aldosterone is now known as the fundamental mineralocorticoid.
Mineralocorticoids
- Glucocorticoids: It belongs to the family of cortisol and is found responsible for the storage of glycogen (glucose but in a stored form) in the liver for the maintenance of blood sugar concentration of the living body.
Glucocorticoids
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