Stress disturbs cellular homeostasis. During stress, the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. Thus, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released from the hypothalamus activates pituitary corticotrophs to secrete adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) that enters the circulation and stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete glucocorticoids (corticosterone in the rat; cortisol in the human and sheep). The steroid products of the [...]