Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

Glucocorticoids, which are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, primarily function to regulate metabolism and immune responses. One significant impact of glucocorticoids on insulin secretion is their tendency to impair the secretion of insulin from the pancreatic β-cells. This impairment occurs because glucocorticoids can induce insulin resistance and alter glucose metabolism in various tissues, including muscle and adipose tissue.

As a result, the overall effect is a decrease in insulin production in response to increased blood glucose levels. Consequently, individuals on glucocorticoid therapy may experience elevated blood glucose levels and a higher risk of developing diabetes or exacerbating existing diabetes, illustrating the critical role that glucocorticoids play in glucose homeostasis and insulin dynamics.

The other options do not accurately describe the relationship between glucocorticoids and insulin secretion. For instance, while glucocorticoids do influence insulin sensitivity, they primarily do so by inducing resistance rather than enhancement. They are also not neutral with regard to insulin secretion, as they have a clear impact in terms of impairment.