A REVIEW ON EFFECT OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS ON C-REACTIVE PROTEIN

C - Reactive Protein is an acute phase reactant.It is increased in the conditions such as inflammation and infection which is synthesized by stimulation of Hepatocytes. CRP plays a major role in apoptosis, Nitric Oxide release and activation of complement pathways. Its release is mediated by inflammatory mediators such as IL-6,TNF-Aplha, IL-8 and monocyte chemo attractant protein. Increase in CRP may also leads to certain complications because CRP activates inflammatory pathways and thus causes the local tissue damage.Hence it is necessary to reduce the CRP. Glucocortoids such as Beclomethasone, Betamethasone, Budesonide, Cortisone, and Dexamethasone. Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone are used in treatment of several inflammatory diseases which include auto-immune diseases also. They have the ability to reduce the CRP by suppressing the inflammatory and pro inflammatory mediators. This is achieved through downregulation of the inflammatory pathways. Many advances have been developed to elucidate various mechanisms such as gene transcription and cell signalling in inflammation involved in the reduction of CRP by Glucocorticoids. Glucococorticids produce their actions by binding to the Glucocorticoid Receptor present in the cytoplasm of cells. A negative regulatory mechanism called Transpression is responsible for the anti-inflammatory actions of Glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids reduce CRP levels by downregulating the inflammatory cytokines. Thus they can be used to prevent the complications caused by increased CRP levels. This review paper mainly focuses on the role of CRP in inflammation and infections,Glucocorticoid receptor, Genomic actions of Glucocorticoids as well as the role of Glucocorticoids in reducing the CRP.