Adrenal cortex hormones articles from across Nature Portfolio

α1-adrenergic receptors (α1- AR) play critical roles in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Here, the authors report molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying the discrimination between α1A-AR and α1B-AR by the agonist A61603.

Glucocorticoid therapies are widely used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, yet these drugs induce adverse metabolic effects. This Review highlights new insights into mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus and discusses current and future therapeutic options.

In a new study, an ambulatory microdialysis system combined with ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry enabled the building of a 24-h high-resolution profile of adrenal steroids in the tissue by sampling interstitial fluid in 214 healthy volunteers. Daily and ultradian variations of eight free steroids, including cortisol and aldosterone, have been demonstrated, which opens new diagnostic perspectives for endocrine diseases.