Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate normal physiological processes such as carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. However, GCs are most often used therapeutically because of their broad anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities (Table 19.1). GCs block the production of proinflammatory molecules such as prostaglandins and cytokines, inhibit/decrease edema, block inflammatory and immune cell trafficking and activation, as well as inhibit the late stages of inflammation such as myofibroblast activation and scarring (Box 19.1). There are a variety of synthetic GCs with differing potencies, metabolic profiles, and biological half-lives (Table 19.2). The widespread use of GCs for a variety of clinical conditions led to the discovery of significant side-effects associated with prolonged therapy, including metabolic effects (osteoporosis, myopathy, hyperglycemia, redistribution of body fat, …