Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that help to maintain glucose levels in the blood are called glucocorticoids. It is secreted by the middle region of the adrenal cortex. The principal glucocorticoids is cortisol also called hydro-cortisone. The overall effect of the glucocorticoids is to increase blood glucose levels. This helps to maintain appropriate blood glucose levels between meals. In times of prolonged stress cortisol is secreted in greater than normal amount to help increase glucose level to provide energy to respond to the stress. Cortisol also helps to counteract the inflammatory response. For this purpose, it is used clinically to reduce inflammation in certain allergic reactions, bursitis and arthritis, infections and some types of cancer.
