**Question:** Systemic corticosteroid causes -

A. Inhibition of inflammation
B. Increase in blood pressure
C. Suppression of the immune system
D. Increase in appetite

**Core Concept:** Corticosteroids are a class of hormones produced by the adrenal glands that play a crucial role in the body's stress response, immune system regulation, and anti-inflammatory actions. They act on various target tissues to modulate various physiological processes.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Systemic corticosteroids, when administered therapeutically, primarily exert their effects by inhibiting inflammation. This is due to their ability to:

1. Inhibit the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are essential in the inflammatory response.
2. Reduce the recruitment of immune cells to the site of inflammation, thereby reducing tissue damage and pain.
3. Inhibit the release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells and basophils, leading to reduced vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and increased capillary leakage, which are hallmarks of inflammation.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. Increase in blood pressure is a common side effect of long-term corticosteroid use but is not the primary action of corticosteroids. In fact, corticosteroids can lower blood pressure in acute situations, such as sepsis, by suppressing the stress response.

B. Corticosteroids do not consistently increase appetite. In fact, many patients may lose weight initially due to reduced inflammation and tissue edema, but long-term use can lead to weight gain.

C. While corticosteroids do suppress the immune system to some extent, this is not their primary action. The primary benefit of corticosteroids lies in their anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.

**Clinical Pearl:** Systemic corticosteroids are essential medications in the management of various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and dermatological disorders. They can also be used in the treatment of sepsis and shock due to their effects on the stress response, immune system modulation, and anti-inflammatory actions.