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Mineralocorticoids are hormones that play an important role in regulating fluid balance and blood pressure by regulating water and electrolyte balance in the body, mainly by promoting sodium retention and potassium excretion in the kidneys.
Glucocorticoids are hormones that regulate metabolism, inflammation, and immune responses.
Both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.
Table: Glucocorticoids vs mineralocorticoids
| Glucocorticoids | Mineralocorticoids | |
| Primary hormone | Cortisol | Aldosterone |
| Main function | Regulation of body functions and cell metabolism, immune system, inflammation suppression | Electrolyte balance, blood pressure regulation, sodium retention/potassium and hydrogen secretion |
| Uses | Treatment of inflammation, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases | Mineralocorticoid replacement therapy needed in adrenal insufficiency for: prevention of sodium loss, hyperkalemia, intravascular volume depletion |
Mineralocorticoids promote retention of sodium and secretion of potassium and hydrogen, and help to maintain electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
Glucocorticoids regulate body functions, control cell metabolism, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, and have immune modulatory mechanisms. They are also potent suppressors of inflammation and immune-suppressive activities.
Examples of mineralocorticoids include aldosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone.
Natural glucocorticoids include cortisone and hydrocortisone.
Examples of synthetic glucocorticoids include prednisolone, triamcinolone, and dexamethasone.
Mineralocorticoid replacement therapy is used to prevent sodium loss, hyperkalemia, and intravascular volume depletion.
Glucocorticoid replacement therapy is used to treat inflammation, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.
Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, including mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency caused by mineralocorticoid deficiency include muscle weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, hypotension and orthostatic hypotension, depression and irritability, hypoglycemia, joint pain, salty foods cravings, and irregular menstrual period and loss of libido.
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