Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
Front Neuroendocrinol. 2018 Apr;49:52-71. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.005. Epub 2017 Dec 26.
Glucocorticoid hormones are a powerful mammalian systemic hormonal signal that exerts regulatory effects on almost every cell and system of the body. Glucocorticoids act in a circadian and stress-directed manner to aid in adaptation to an ever-changing environment. Circadian glucocorticoid secretion provides for a daily waxing and waning influence on target cell function. In addition, the daily circadian peak of glucocorticoid secretion serves as a timing signal that helps entrain intrinsic molecular clock phase in tissue cells distributed throughout the body. Stress-induced glucocorticoid secretion also modulates the state of these same cells in response to both physiological and psychological stressors. We review the strong functional interrelationships between glucocorticoids and the circadian system, and discuss how these interactions optimize the appropriate cellular and systems response to stress throughout the day. We also discuss clinical implications of this dual aspect of glucocorticoid signaling, especially for conditions of circadian and HPA axis dysregulation.
糖皮质激素是一种强大的哺乳动物系统性荷尔蒙信号，对身体的几乎每一个细胞和系统都发挥着调节作用。糖皮质激素以昼夜节律和应激为导向的方式发挥作用，帮助适应不断变化的环境。昼夜节律性糖皮质激素分泌对靶细胞功能产生每日的起伏影响。此外，糖皮质激素分泌的每日昼夜节律高峰作为一个定时信号，有助于使分布在全身的组织细胞内固有分子钟相位同步。应激诱导的糖皮质激素分泌也调节这些相同细胞的状态，以响应生理和心理应激源。我们回顾了糖皮质激素和昼夜节律系统之间的强大功能相互关系，并讨论了这些相互作用如何优化全天对压力的适当细胞和系统反应。我们还讨论了糖皮质激素信号双重性的临床意义，特别是对于昼夜节律和 HPA 轴失调的情况。
