Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has directed its attention towards studying the impact of the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, on the endocrine system. It has been proven that the virus exhibits organotropism towards the cortex of the adrenal glands, causing tissue d...

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Main Authors: Malvina Todorova, Katya Todorova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medical University - Pleven 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Biomedical & Clinical Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jbcr.arphahub.com/article/135548/download/pdf/
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author Malvina Todorova
Katya Todorova
author_facet Malvina Todorova
Katya Todorova
author_sort Malvina Todorova
collection DOAJ
description With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has directed its attention towards studying the impact of the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, on the endocrine system. It has been proven that the virus exhibits organotropism towards the cortex of the adrenal glands, causing tissue damage and hormonal dysfunction. The aim of this exposition is to address the question of whether SARS-CoV-2 causes disruptions in the hormonal regulation of glucocorticoid hormones. Based on a thorough review of the current literature, it is suggested that the virus could potentially directly damage the hypothalamus, leading to a disruption in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The decrease in cortisol secretion is a secondary effect. As a result, there is a loss of stress-induced cortisol elevation due to the inflammatory process and an increased risk of adrenal crisis. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines synthesized during the inflammatory process could stimulate cortisol secretion through an ACTH-independent mechanism. The magnitude of the biological response is influenced by the newly emerged resistance of cortisol receptors, disturbances in intracellular cortisol signaling, and dysregulation between ACTH and cortisol secretion. The detailed study of functional changes in cortisol secretion in response to SARS-CoV-2-associated inflammation provides a new horizon for scientific research following recovery from COVID-19.
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spelling doaj-art-89b57b0ddb044cda9cba40a456ea0aa72025-02-07T08:31:45ZengMedical University - PlevenJournal of Biomedical & Clinical Research1313-90532025-02-01181112110.3897/jbcr.e135548135548Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infectionMalvina Todorova0Katya Todorova1Medical University – PlevenMedical University – PlevenWith the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has directed its attention towards studying the impact of the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, on the endocrine system. It has been proven that the virus exhibits organotropism towards the cortex of the adrenal glands, causing tissue damage and hormonal dysfunction. The aim of this exposition is to address the question of whether SARS-CoV-2 causes disruptions in the hormonal regulation of glucocorticoid hormones. Based on a thorough review of the current literature, it is suggested that the virus could potentially directly damage the hypothalamus, leading to a disruption in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The decrease in cortisol secretion is a secondary effect. As a result, there is a loss of stress-induced cortisol elevation due to the inflammatory process and an increased risk of adrenal crisis. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines synthesized during the inflammatory process could stimulate cortisol secretion through an ACTH-independent mechanism. The magnitude of the biological response is influenced by the newly emerged resistance of cortisol receptors, disturbances in intracellular cortisol signaling, and dysregulation between ACTH and cortisol secretion. The detailed study of functional changes in cortisol secretion in response to SARS-CoV-2-associated inflammation provides a new horizon for scientific research following recovery from COVID-19.https://jbcr.arphahub.com/article/135548/download/pdf/ACTHadrenal glandcortisolSARS-CoV-2 infectio
spellingShingle Malvina Todorova
Katya Todorova
Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Journal of Biomedical & Clinical Research
ACTH
adrenal gland
cortisol
SARS-CoV-2 infectio
title Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
title_full Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
title_fullStr Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
title_full_unstemmed Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
title_short Changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
title_sort changes in cortisol secretion and the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in the development of the immune response in patients with sars cov 2 infection
topic ACTH
adrenal gland
cortisol
SARS-CoV-2 infectio
url https://jbcr.arphahub.com/article/135548/download/pdf/
work_keys_str_mv AT malvinatodorova changesincortisolsecretionandtheroleoftheglucocorticoidreceptorinthedevelopmentoftheimmuneresponseinpatientswithsarscov2infection
AT katyatodorova changesincortisolsecretionandtheroleoftheglucocorticoidreceptorinthedevelopmentoftheimmuneresponseinpatientswithsarscov2infection