Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels, may cause infertility in women, and suppresses the immune system.
Synthetic cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, is used as a drug mainly to fight allergies and inflammation.
Synthesis
Cortisol is synthesized from
pregnenolone. The conversion involves
hydroxylation of C-11, C-17, and C-21, the oxidation of C-3, and the isomerization of the C-5 double bond to C-4. The synthesis takes place in the
zona fasciculata of the
cortex of the adrenal glands. While the adrenal cortex also produces
aldosterone (in the
zona glomerulosa) and some
sex hormones (in the
zona reticulosa), cortisol is its main secretion. (The name
cortisol comes from
cortex.) The medulla of the adrenal gland lies under the cortex and mainly secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine under sympathetic stimulation.
The synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal gland is stimulated by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); production of ACTH is in turn stimulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), released by the hypothalamus.
More on
[ Cortisol ]
CFDA: FDA Latest Computer Systems Warning LettersWL Issued to Amrex Zetron IncFDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Amrex Zetron Inc on 14 Apr 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Coast Institutional Review BoardFDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MDFDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Cote, Charles J., MDFDA Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Cote, Charles J., MD on 02 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Genzyme CorporationFDA Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Genzyme Corporation on 27 Feb 2009 by New England District Office
WL Issued to Hammill Manufacturing CompanyFDA Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Hammill Manufacturing Company on 06 Jan 2009 by Cincinnati District Office
CFDA: FDA Latest Drug GCP Warning LettersWL Issued to Coast Institutional Review BoardFDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MDFDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MDFDA Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MD on 30 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Youabian, IncFDA Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Youabian, Inc on 17 Mar 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRBFDA Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRB on 12 Mar 2009 by Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MDFDA Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MD on 11 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Subscribe to Drugs_and_Medications RSS feed 
DrugDigest: Hydrocortisone Rectal - Information on dosage, usage, side effects, interactions, and drug comparisons including generics when available.