Cortisol in metabolic syndrome
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Updated: Jun 15, 2025

An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment
Published on: April 20, 2018
Eglė Mazgelytė1, Dovilė Karčiauskaitė1
1Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Abstract:
Cortisol, a stress hormone, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic, hemodynamic, inflammatory, and behavioral processes. Its secretion is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, prolonged activation of this axis and increased cortisol bioavailability in tissues can result in detrimental metabolic effects. Chronic exposure to excessive cortisol is associated with insulin resistance and visceral obesity, both significant contributors to metabolic syndrome. This review delves into the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the molecular mechanisms underlying cortisol synthesis and its actions, as well as the key factors influencing cortisol bioavailability. Furthermore, it provides a summary of available clinical research data on the involvement of cortisol in metabolic syndrome, alongside a discussion on the various biomatrices used for cortisol measurement in clinical settings.
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