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.