Any relationships between elevated levels of cortosol, etc and herpes?

Perl von Molson

Cortisol

Molecular diagram of cortisol

Cortisol (hydrocortisone, C21H30O5 ), is a corticosteroid hormone
synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal
glands. Its systematic name is
11ß,17,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and its CAS number is
50-23-7. The molcular weight is approximately 362.47.

The amount of cortisol present in the serum undergoes diurnal
variation, with the highest levels present in the early morning, and
lower levels in the evening, several hours after the onset of sleep.
Information about the light/dark cycle is transmitted from the retina
to the paired suprachiasmatic nuclei in the hypothalamus. Changed
patterns of the serum cortisol levels have been observed in connection
with abnormal ACTH levels, clinical depression, psychological stress,
and such physiological stressors as hypoglycemia, illness, fever,
trauma, surgery, fear, pain, physical exertion or extremes of
temperature. There is also significant individual variation, although a
given person tends to have consistent rhythms.

Some effects of cortisol being secreted into the bloodstream are an
increase in blood pressure and glucose concentrations. Also it
increases the glycogen formation in the liver (Freeman, 2002). The
release of cortisol inhibits functioning of the immune system, and bone
formation.

Cortisol also inhibits the secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone
(CRH), resulting in feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion. Some
researchers believe that this normal feedback system may break down
when animals are exposed to chronic stress.

Most serum cortisol, all but about 4 percent, is bound to proteins
including corticosteroid binding globulin, CBG, and albumin. Only free
cortisol is available to most receptors.

As an oral or injectable drug, cortisol is used medically in the
treatment of anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions, and to
reduce certain forms of swelling or edema. In normal release, cortisol
has widespread actions which help restore homeostasis after stress. It
acts as a physiological antagonist to insulin by promoting breakdown of
carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and so mobilising energy reserves.
In addition, immune and inflammatory cells have their responses to
stress attenuated by cortisol.

These normal endogenous functions are the basis for the physiological
consequences of chronic stress - prolonged cortisol secretion causes
muscle wastage, hyperglycaemia, and immune / inflammatory responses.
The same sequelae arise from long-term use of glucocorticoid drugs.
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Synthesis

Cortisol is synthesized from progesterone, the precursor of all steroid
hormones. The conversion involves hydroxylation of C-11, C-17 and C-21.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol