title: Thymus as a target tissue of glucocorticoid action: what are the consequences of glucocorticoids thymectomy?
abstract: Glucocorticoids represent the most powerful endogenous anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effectors, interfering with virtually every step of immunoinflammatory responses. Glucocorticoids are often the most effective therapy in the prevention or suppression of inflammation and other immunologically mediated processes, but their use is limited by systemic side effects induced by the over-production of reactive oxygen species, causing dysregulation of physiological processes. The thymus is an organ with both endocrine and immune functions. Glucocorticoids induce thymocyte apoptosis, causing a profound reduction in thymic mass and volume and inducing hormonal thymectomy. The clinical aspects of glucocorticoid thymectomy are not under enough investigation. These unwanted systemic side effects may be the consequence of prolonged therapeutic application of glucocorticoids and prolonged or chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, which may lead to increased and prolonged secretion of glucocorticoids. This review will discuss the metabolic effects of glucocorticoids in the context of thymic physiology asthe primary sex hormone-responsive organ.
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, CC Nis Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Serbia. bjelakovic@junis.ni.ac.yu
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Bjelaković
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Stojanovic
authors: Tatjana
authors: T
authors: Jevtovic-Stoimenov
authors: Dusica
authors: D
authors: Pavlović
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Kocić
authors: Borisav
authors: B
authors: Kamenov
authors: Ljiljana
authors: L
authors: Saranac
authors: Jelenka
authors: J
authors: Nikolić
authors: Bojko
authors: B
authors: Bjelaković
authors: Dusan
authors: D
authors: Sokolović
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Basić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones