Which statement best describes the action of glucocorticoids?

Which statement best describes the action of glucocorticoids?

• A. They decrease serum sodium and glucose levels.
• B. They regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
• C. They stimulate defense mechanisms to produce immunity.
• D. They are produced in lower amounts during times of stress.

Answer: (B)

Glucocorticoids regulate energy metabolism, coordinating how the body handles carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They stimulate gluconeogenesis in the liver, increasing hepatic glucose production, and promote proteolysis in muscle and lipolysis in adipose tissue to provide substrates for energy. This metabolic shift helps maintain blood glucose and energy during stress. While they have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, they do not enhance immunity; in fact, they suppress it. They also increase in response to stress, not decrease. The statement that best describes their action is that they regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Glucocorticoids regulate energy metabolism, coordinating how the body handles carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They stimulate gluconeogenesis in the liver, increasing hepatic glucose production, and promote proteolysis in muscle and lipolysis in adipose tissue to provide substrates for energy. This metabolic shift helps maintain blood glucose and energy during stress. While they have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, they do not enhance immunity; in fact, they suppress it. They also increase in response to stress, not decrease. The statement that best describes their action is that they regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.