When patients who are receiving glucocorticoid therapy (for ...

[crazycityslicker]

When patients who are receiving glucocorticoid therapy (for example, with prednisone need to stop taking it, the doctor will prescribe a series of doses of tapering size to gradually lower the dose rather than suddenly stop it. Explain this dosage strategy in terms of the negative feedback control of cortisol secretion.

Question 2

All of the following are true of beta-oxidation except that
 A) it occurs in the mitochondria.
  B) fatty acids break down into two-carbon fragments.
  C) lipids are converted into glycogen molecules.
  D) it requires coenzyme A, NAD, and FAD.
  E) it yields large amounts of ATP.

[olivia_paige29]

Answer to Question 1

Glucocorticoids inhibit the production of corticotrophin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus and ACTH by the anterior pituitary. High doses of prednisone will mean that levels of ACTH in the patient have been quite low, and so the zona fasciculate of the adrenal cortex will have not been stimulated for a while and can't do much synthesis. By slowly reducing the prednisone, it gives the patient's own ability to make cortisol a chance to recover and thus prevents collapse of blood pressure and other serious effects of suddenly withholding the corticosteroid.

Answer to Question 2

C

[crazycityslicker]

TYSM

[scikid]

Gracias!