Cortisol has which action on tissue protein?

Cortisol has which action on tissue protein?

• A. Converts muscle protein into energy
• B. Builds muscle protein
• C. Increases protein synthesis
• D. Stores amino acids

Answer: (A)

Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that rises with stress or fasting. In muscle, it increases proteolysis, breaking down muscle protein into amino acids that travel to the liver to support gluconeogenesis and provide energy. This leads to a loss of muscle protein when cortisol stays high. It does not build muscle or boost protein synthesis, nor does it store amino acids. So its effect on tissue protein is to convert muscle protein into energy.

Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that rises with stress or fasting. In muscle, it increases proteolysis, breaking down muscle protein into amino acids that travel to the liver to support gluconeogenesis and provide energy. This leads to a loss of muscle protein when cortisol stays high. It does not build muscle or boost protein synthesis, nor does it store amino acids. So its effect on tissue protein is to convert muscle protein into energy.