Anti-insulin action of cortisol. 2. Comparison of the influence of cortisol on the metabolism of glucose, fructose, mannose and galactose.

Abstract

The influence of cortisol on the metabolism of fructose, mannose and galactose to CO2, fatty acid and glycogen was studied and compared to the cortisol influence on glucose metabolism. The rate of metabolism of these sugars by the mouse ear strip in decreasing order was glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose. Cortisol was demonstrated to inhibit the metabolism of all of these sugars but the inhibition was greatest for the more actively utilized sugars and least for galactose, which was poorly utilized. These observations are consistent with a cortisol action on hexose passage through the cell membrane or on the hexokinase system. The small cortisol action on galactose metabolism suggests an action on the cell membrane. The passage of the 3 nonmetabolized sugars, D-arabinose, D-xylose and L-mannitol, into the tissue, however, could not be shown to be influenced by cortisol. (Endocrinology 84: 1450, 1969)