Cortisone (17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone) is an oxidized metabolite of Cortisol with anti-inflammatory properties[1]. Cortisone suppresses intraocular inflammation by reducing inflammatory exudation and inhibiting proliferation of fibroblasts and formation of granulation tissue[2]. Cortisone in saliva is a useful surrogate for circulating free cortisol in research and preclinical assessment and is a stress biomarker with high discriminatory power and significant correlations with subjective and autonomic stress measures[3-4]. Cortisone has been widely used as an internal standard to optimize the parameters of chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis, facilitating the precise identification of Cortisone and related compounds in saliva and hair samples[5].
In vitro, Cortisone (10nM) treatment for 6 days promoted cell growth and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) secretion in MDA PCa 2b cells[6]. Treatment with 1nM Cortisone for 24 hours abolished the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced expression of the VEGF gene and VEGF secretion in human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs)[7].
In vivo, Cortisone treatment via subcutaneous injection at a dose of 40mg/kg/day for 4 weeks aggravated the Mycobacteroides abscessus infection in C3HeB/FeJ mice, and increased the bacterial load in the lungs of mice[8]. Subcutaneous injection of Cortisone (5mg/day) for 8 days inhibited the growth of rats and caused weight loss[9].
References:[1] Hillier S G. Diamonds are forever: the cortisone legacy[J]. Journal of Endocrinology, 2007, 195(1): 1-6.
[2] Jonas J B, Hayler J K, Söfker A, et al. Intravitreal injection of crystalline cortisone as adjunctive treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy[J]. American journal of ophthalmology, 2001, 131(4): 468-471.
[3] Perogamvros I, Keevil B G, Ray D W, et al. Salivary cortisone is a potential biomarker for serum free cortisol[J]. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2010, 95(11): 4951-4958.
[4] Bae Y J, Reinelt J, Netto J, et al. Salivary cortisone, as a biomarker for psychosocial stress, is associated with state anxiety and heart rate[J]. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2019, 101: 35-41.
[5] Jones R L, Owen L J, Adaway J E, et al. Simultaneous analysis of cortisol and cortisone in saliva using XLC–MS/MS for fully automated online solid phase extraction[J]. Journal of Chromatography B, 2012, 881: 42-48.
[6] Zhao X Y, Malloy P J, Krishnan A V, et al. Glucocorticoids can promote androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells through a mutated androgen receptor[J]. Nature medicine, 2000, 6(6): 703-706.
[7] Nauck M, Karakiulakis G, Perruchoud A P, et al. Corticosteroids inhibit the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene in human vascular smooth muscle cells[J]. European journal of pharmacology, 1998, 341(2-3): 309-315.
[8] Maggioncalda E C, Story-Roller E, Mylius J, et al. A mouse model of pulmonary Mycobacteroides abscessus infection[J]. Scientific reports, 2020, 10(1): 3690.
[9] Krieg Jr R J, Niimi K, Chan J C M, et al. Cortisone effects on growth, food efficiency, and in vitro growth hormone release[J]. Kidney international, 1991, 39(6): 1135-1139.