Names | |
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Pronunciation | /ˈkɔːrtɪsoʊn/, /ˈkɔːrtɪzoʊn/ |
IUPAC name
17α,21-Dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,11,20-trione
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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
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.149 |
KEGG | |
MeSH | Cortisone |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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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).
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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.
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.[1][2] However, using cortisone only results in very mild activity, and very often more potent steroids are used instead.