The clinical intervention or physiological state characterized by a deliberate reduction in the secretion or systemic action of the stress hormone cortisol, typically from the adrenal cortex. This is often pursued therapeutically to manage conditions resulting from excessive cortisol exposure, such as Cushing’s syndrome, or to mitigate chronic stress-induced catabolism. Effective suppression aims to restore a healthy balance within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Origin
Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, was identified in the mid-20th century, and its role in the stress response and various pathologies became clear. The concept of suppression arose from the need to manage hypercortisolism, utilizing pharmacological agents or specific lifestyle interventions. It is a fundamental concept in endocrinology related to the negative feedback loop of the HPA axis.
Mechanism
Pharmacological suppression often involves synthetic glucocorticoids or enzyme inhibitors that block cortisol synthesis in the adrenal gland. Physiologically, certain lifestyle factors like mindfulness or controlled breathing can modulate the HPA axis, reducing the upstream release of ACTH from the pituitary gland. The overall mechanism works by decreasing the stimulatory signals or directly inhibiting the final enzymatic steps of cortisol production.
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