Cortisone

Cortisone (corticosteroid closely related to corticosterone.

Production

Cortisone is one of several end products of a process called steroidogenesis. This process starts with 11-beta-steroid dehydrogenase. The active form, cortisol, is thus sometimes referred to as hydrocortisone.

Effects and uses

Cortisol and adrenaline are the main hormones released by the body as a reaction to stress. They elevate blood pressure and prepare the body for a fight or flight response.

Cortisone is sometimes used as a drug to treat a variety of ailments. It can be administered intravenously or cutaneously.

One of cortisone's effects on the body, and a potentially harmful side effect when administered clinically, is the suppression of the immune system. This could be the explanation for the apparent correlation between high stress and sickness. The suppression of the immune system may be important in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as severe IgE-mediated allergies.

Cortisone is less important than a similar steroid cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for 95% of the effects of the glucocorticosteroids while cortisone is about 4 or 5%. Corticosterone is even less important.

Cortisone shots also may leave "dents" in the injection area, in some cases.

History

Cortisone was first discovered by the American chemist George W. Merck.

References

• Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2533

• Woodward R. B., Sondheimer F., Taub D. (1951). "The Total Synthesis of Cortisone". Journal of the American Chemical Society 73: 4057 - 4057. doi:10.1021/ja01152a551.
• Ingle D. J. (1950). "The biologic properties of cortisone: a review". Journal of Clinical Endocrinology 10: 1312-1354.

See also

• Central serous retinopathy
• Corticosterol