title: The function of glucocorticoids in thermogenesis.
abstract: Studies both in vivo and in vitro implicate glucocorticoids in various aspects of thermogenesis and prevention of heat loss. Many or most of these effects are probably permissive. Adrenalectomized, cold-exposed rats require glucocorticoids for catecholamine-mediated mobilization of free fatty acids, for shivering responses, and for vasoconstriction and piloerection. Glucocorticoid pretreatment of hypothermic hamsters results in a physiological state more similar bioenergetically to hibernation than to hypothermia. For example, such hamsters can arouse to normothermia from a body temperature of 8 C in a 7--8 C cold room. Lipolytic, gluconeogenic, glycogenolic, and pressor actions resulting from several hormone interactions that require glucocorticoids for optimum responses may account for the enhanced thermogenic ability shown by glucocorticoid-pretreated hamsters. Glucocorticoid treatment also results in enhanced blood and liver carbohydrate levels during hypothermia, a condition similar to that occurring in naturally hibernating animals as opposed to the depleted carbohydrate reserves generally seen in hypothermic animals.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006224:Cricetinae; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008053:Lipid Mobilization; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006003:Glycogen