Cortisol

secreted from zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex

Function

Cortisol has numerous actions and is essential for life

Increases blood pressure: permits normal response to angiotensin II and catecholamines byup-regulating alpha-1 receptors on arterioles

Inhibits bone formation: decreases osteoblasts, decreases type 1 collagen, decreases absorption of calcium from the gut, increases osteoclastic activity

Increases insulin resistance

Metabolism: increases gluconeogenesis, lipolysis and proteolysis

Inhibits inflammatory and immune responses

Maintains function of skeletal and cardiac muscle