Question

___ shows anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect
(a) Mineralocorticoids
(b) Sex corticoids
(c) Glucocorticoids
(d) Noradrenaline

Answer 1

The hormones that show anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects are secreted from an endocrine gland located above both kidneys. They influence the ways the body uses and regulates its glucose storehouse.

Complete answer:
Adrenal glands are located superior to both the kidneys. For this reason, they are also known as suprarenal glands. Interiorly, adrenal glands are divided into two distinct regions- an outer layer of the adrenal cortex and an inner layer of the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces three kinds of hormones: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and small amounts of sex hormones ‘adrenal androgens.’ The principal glucocorticoid is cortisol whose secretion is stimulated by ACTH or adrenocorticotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary. The function of cortisol is to raise the level of glucose in the blood by stimulating the liver cells to synthesize it. It also reduces swelling by inhibiting the immune system. Its high doses depress the immune response and show anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. For this, they are also used as an immunosuppressive agent.
So, the correct answer is ‘(c) Glucocorticoids.’

Additional Information:
- Aldosterone is the major mineralocorticoid. It is released into the bloodstream upon being stimulated by angiotensin II. Its target organ is the kidney where it promotes the absorption of sodium and excretion of potassium. An increased level of sodium in the tissue fluid causes retention of water and thus causes blood volume to increase.
- Adrenal androgens stimulate the growth of hair in pubic areas and underarms. This is among the secondary sexual characters developed in males and females.
- The adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline or epinephrine and noradrenaline and norepinephrine. Epinephrine is stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system usually in stressful situations like injury, grief, fear, or accident.

Note:
- Hypersecretion or high secretion of cortisol causes Cushing’s syndrome where excessive production of glucose results in a shortage of proteins in the body.
- Hyposecretion or less secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids results in an imbalance of sodium and potassium, rapid weight loss followed by extreme weakness along with many such symptoms. These are collectively referred to as Addison’s disease.