One of the three groups of
steroid hormones which are produced by the
adrenal cortex. There are three different types of glucocorticoids:
cortisone,
corticosterone, and
cortisol. These hormones increase the rate at which proteins are broken down (catabolized), mobilize free
fatty acids, regulate the making of glucose in the
liver (gluconeogenesis), and decrease the inflammatory response including
allergic responses (are anti-inflammatory compounds).
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.