Glucocorticoid Measurements in Health and Disease - Metabolic Implications and the Potential of 24-h Urine Analyses

Title: Glucocorticoid Measurements in Health and Disease - Metabolic Implications and the Potential of 24-h Urine Analyses

Volume: 8 Issue: 2

Author(s): Thomas Remer, Christiane Maser-Gluth and Stefan A. Wudy

Affiliation:

Keywords: Glucocorticoid measurements, cortisol, cortisone, urinary free steroids, functional glucocorticoid activity, 11betahydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5alpha-reductase, 24-h urine collection, children

Abstract: For examination of glucocorticoid metabolism and identification of hyper and hypocortisolism, various measurements and diagnostic tools are available. After a brief overview of the physiology of glucocorticoid secretion and glucocorticoid actions, the currently used measurements for blood, saliva, and urine samples and the corresponding physiological and metabolic implications are critically reviewed. A special emphasis is placed on the potential of 24-h urine analyses to assess not only glucocorticoid secretion, but also functional glucocorticoid activity.

Cite this article as:

Remer Thomas, Maser-Gluth Christiane and Wudy A. Stefan, Glucocorticoid Measurements in Health and Disease - Metabolic Implications and the Potential of 24-h Urine Analyses, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955708783498096