Adrenal gland hormones. Artwork of the human kidney and adrenal gland with chemical formulae for the hormones cortisol and corticosterone. The kidney (red) filters the blood to form urine which goes down the ureter (long, yellow) to the bladder (unseen). On the kidney's top surface is the adrenal gland (yellow). This endocrine gland secretes a variety of hormones. The chemical formulae for two corticosteroid hormones produced by the gland are shown. Cortisol (above) regulates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and proteins. Corticosterone (below) influences carbohydrate, Na and K metabolism and is needed for glycogen formation.