Clinical application of corticoids

Corticoids given therapeutically may interrupt the loop on feedback mechanism by which plasma cortisol levels are controlled. This was demonstrated when corticoids were applied to the skin in the treatment of dermatoses and when taken by mouth the patients with polyarthritis. In rats, Endomethasone root fillings has similar effect. Corticoids applied to the gingiva or instilled into periodontal pockets did not lower group mean plasma cortisol levels but individual patients did show suppression of cortisol secretion. It is concluded that all corticoids, no matter how applied, will have this effect, although present analytical methods may be too insensitive to detect the smaller changes.