Sepsis resulting from microbial infections is a sustained and extreme example of stress situation. During stress, adrenal gland rapidly responds with increased secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines into circulation, which hormones, in turn, affect metabolism, to provide acutely energy, vasculature to increase blood pressure, and the immune system to prevent it from extensive activation. Adrenal gland is a major effector organ of stress system. The defense against stress is executed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic–adrenal medullary system. Survival of all living organisms depends on maintenance of a steady state of homeostasis, which process relies on its ability to react and adapt to various physical and emotional threats.
2Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, King’s College London, London, UK.1Department of Internal Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
