Final answer:
Corticosteroids are deactivated in the liver by being reduced to their tetrahydro derivatives and conjugated with glucuronic acid, making them water-soluble for excretion through bile. Enzymatic modification also inactivates the steroids, regulating their levels within the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Corticosteroids, such as cortisol and cortisone, play a crucial role in managing stress and downregulating the immune system, which inhibits the inflammatory response. The metabolism and excretion of these hormones primarily occur in the liver. Corticosteroids are reduced to their tetrahydro derivatives and subsequently conjugated with glucuronic acid, which makes them water-soluble. This allows for their elimination from the body through bile. Furthermore, these hormones are subject to enzymatic modification—an example of such an enzyme is 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which inactivates cortisol to cortisone, thus regulating tissue glucocorticoid availability. These metabolic processes ensure that hormone levels in the blood are maintained within a proper range and facilitate removal of these substances to avoid toxicity or overexertion of their physiological effects.