Cortisone
Cortisone is a pregnene (21-carbon) steroid hormone. It is a naturally-occurring corticosteroid metabolite that is also used as a pharmaceutical prodrug. Cortisol is converted by the action of the enzyme corticosteroid 11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme 2 into the inactive metabolite cortisone, particularly in the kidneys. This is done by oxidizing the alcohol group at carbon 11 (in the six-membered ring fused to the five-membered ring). Cortisone is converted back to the active steroid cortisol by stereospecific hydrogenation at carbon 11 by the enzyme 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, particularly in the liver.
Names | |
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Pronunciation | /ˈkɔːrtɪsoʊn/, /ˈkɔːrtɪzoʊn/ |
IUPAC name
17α,21-Dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,11,20-trione | |
Systematic IUPAC name
(1R,3aS,3bS,9aR,9bS,11aS)-1-Hydroxy-1-(hydroxyacetyl)-9a,11a-dimethyl-2,3,3a,3b,4,5,8,9,9a,9b,11,11a-dodecahydro-7H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-7,10(1H)-dione | |
Other names
17α,21-Dihydroxy-11-ketoprogesterone; 17α-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.149 |
KEGG | |
MeSH | Cortisone |
PubChem CID |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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SMILES
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Properties | |
C21H28O5 | |
Molar mass | 360.450 g·mol−1 |
Melting point | 220 to 224 °C (428 to 435 °F; 493 to 497 K) |
Pharmacology | |
H02AB10 (WHO) S01BA03 (WHO) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
The term "cortisone" is frequently misused to mean either any corticosteroid or hydrocortisone, which is in fact cortisol. Many who speak of receiving a "cortisone shot" or taking "cortisone" are more likely receiving hydrocortisone or one of many other, much more potent synthetic corticosteroids.
Cortisone can be administered as a prodrug, meaning it has to be converted by the body (specifically the liver, converting it into cortisol) after administration to be effective. It is used to treat a variety of ailments and can be administered intravenously, orally, intra-articularly (into a joint), or transcutaneously. Cortisone suppresses various elements of the immune system, thus reducing inflammation and attendant pain and swelling. Risks exist, in particular in the long-term use of cortisone. However, using cortisone only results in very mild activity, and very often more potent steroids are used instead.