Chapter 39 - Nongenomic Effects of Glucocorticoids: Translation From Physiology to Clinic

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a class of steroid hormones that have been known to be widely used clinically as antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive, antishock drugs. Unfortunately, they can also produce numerous and potentially serious adverse effects that limit their usage. Thus, it is necessary to search for novel GCs with a better benefit-risk ratio compared to conventional GCs. GCs are believed traditionally to take effects mainly via the so-called genomic mechanisms, which are also largely responsible for GCs’ side effects. However, an ever-growing body of evidence indicates that some effects of GCs can be mediated by the nongenomic mechanism. Theoretically, the discovery of nongenomic mechanisms of GCs provides novel approaches for the development of GCs to treat various diseases safely. The new GC drugs will take clinical effects mainly through the nongenomic mechanisms instead of classical genomic mechanisms to reduce side effects.