Does corticosterone selectively target endo-cortical surfaces by an osteoblast-dependent mechanism?
Endocortical osteoblasts appear to be particularly sensitive to the detrimental actions of exogenous glucocorticoids. The increase in tibial pericortical cross-sectional area and the according changes in pericortical circumference suggest an anabolic bone response to GC treatment at this site. The protection of tg mice from these effects indicates that both catabolic and anabolic action of glucocorticoids are, at least in part, mediated by osteoblasts.
These results suggest that increases of IL-6, serine proteinases and MMPs may be involved in the upregulation of sTNFRs in patients undergoing major surgery.