Optometry Admission Test (OAT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal glands, plays a significant role in the body's metabolic processes. The overall effect of cortisol is primarily to reduce inflammation and increase blood glucose levels. It achieves anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the release of substances in the immune response, which is why it is often used therapeutically to treat inflammatory conditions.

At the same time, cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis, the process by which glucose is produced from non-carbohydrate sources, thus raising blood glucose levels to provide energy during stress situations. This response is vital for maintaining energy supplies during periods of fasting, stress, or illness, thereby ensuring that the body has adequate glucose.

The other options don't accurately reflect the primary actions of cortisol. While cortisol may have complex interactions with blood pressure, potassium, and calcium, its defining characteristics are primarily its role in inflammation and glucose metabolism.