Which statement is true regarding cortisol?

Which statement is true regarding cortisol?

• A. Cortisol metabolizes free fatty acids
• B. Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis
• C. Cortisol stimulates protein synthesis
• D. Cortisol levels decline in stressful conditions

Answer: (C)

Cortisol’s main metabolic effect is to raise blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver, especially during stress. It does this by enhancing the production of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis and by mobilizing amino acids from muscle and other tissues to serve as substrates. In addition, cortisol drives protein breakdown rather than protein synthesis, contributing to muscle catabolism, and it stimulates lipolysis to provide fatty acids for energy. Importantly, cortisol levels rise in response to stress rather than decline. Because of these actions, the true statement is that cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis.

Cortisol’s main metabolic effect is to raise blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver, especially during stress. It does this by enhancing the production of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis and by mobilizing amino acids from muscle and other tissues to serve as substrates. In addition, cortisol drives protein breakdown rather than protein synthesis, contributing to muscle catabolism, and it stimulates lipolysis to provide fatty acids for energy. Importantly, cortisol levels rise in response to stress rather than decline. Because of these actions, the true statement is that cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis.