Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of corticosteroids like prednisone?

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are potent anti-inflammatory agents that exert their effects through multiple mechanisms. One significant characteristic of corticosteroids is their ability to inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the release of arachidonic acid and subsequently reduces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Additionally, corticosteroids reduce the production of cytokines such as TNFα, which is a key player in promoting inflammation and immune responses. Their ability to decrease inflammation is one of the primary therapeutic actions that make them useful in various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

However, the assertion that corticosteroids can activate NF-κβ is not aligned with their known mechanisms. Typically, corticosteroids exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting signaling pathways associated with NF-κβ, leading to a decrease in inflammatory gene expression. Therefore, Option A stands out as not characteristic of corticosteroids, reinforcing their role in inhibiting rather than activating this particular transcription factor within the context of inflammation.