Targets of anti-glucocorticoid therapy for stress-related diseases

Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov. 2013 Apr;8(1):79-87. doi: 10.2174/1574889811308010007.

Abstract

The stress response during chronic conditions increases vulnerability to diseases through the activation of adaptive systems, in particular, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Dysregulation in HPA activity (central and peripheral) has been reported in chronic diseases, like metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis-related disease, essential hypertension, dementia, depression, particularly during comorbid conditions. Different targets of anti-glucocorticoid treatment have been proposed, acting at supra-hypothalamic, HPA axis, glucocorticoid receptor and post-receptor levels. The recent promising patents on the therapy against glucocorticoid-mediated damage will be presented and discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease
  • Glucocorticoids / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glucocorticoids / physiology
  • Hormone Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Hormone Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiopathology
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / physiology
  • Stress, Psychological / drug therapy*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid