Steroids cause
**Question:** Steroids cause
A. immunosuppression
B. reduced protein synthesis
C. increased protein synthesis
D. altered carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis
**Core Concept:** Steroids are a class of lipophilic compounds that exert their effects by binding to specific steroid hormone receptors, which then translocate to the nucleus and modulate gene expression. They are involved in various physiological processes, including immune response, protein synthesis, and carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Steroids primarily exert their effects through the interaction with steroid hormone receptors, which are proteins that can bind to specific steroid molecules. The correct answer, D, highlights the key effect of steroids on carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Immunosuppression is a correct effect of steroids, but it is not the main mechanism by which steroids exert their effects. The other options better represent key physiological processes influenced by steroids.
B. Reduced protein synthesis is a less important effect compared to their effects on carbohydrate, lipid, and immune response.
C. Increased protein synthesis is not a typical effect of steroids; they generally suppress protein synthesis, especially in certain tissues like skeletal muscle.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:**
Understanding the effects of steroids is crucial for managing patients with steroid-responsive conditions, such as asthma, inflammatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Steroids target multiple physiological processes to achieve their therapeutic effects, including immune response modulation, alteration of carbohydrate, and lipid homeostasis.
**Correct Answer:** D. Altered carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis